On identity-aware replication in stochastic modeling for simulation-based dependability analysis of large interconnected systems

This paper focuses on the generation of stochastic models for dependability and performability analysis, through mechanisms for the automatic replication of template models when identity of replicas cannot be anonymous. The major objective of this work is to support the modeler in selecting the most appropriate replication mechanism, given the characteristics of the system under analysis. To this purpose, three most used solutions to identity-aware replication are considered and a formal framework to allow representing them in a consistent way is first defined. Then, a comparison of their behavior is extensively carried out, with focus on efficiency, both from a theoretical perspective and from a quantitative viewpoint. For the latter, a specific implementation of the considered replication mechanisms in the Möbius modeling environment and a case study representative of realistic interconnected infrastructures are developed.