An overview of fault-tolerant digital system architecture (original) (raw)

Describing the major reasons for its growth and providing a brief history, this paper gives a synoptic view of a new computer sub-industry: independent, third-party computer maintenance and field support services. It details the major modes of delivery of maintenance and field support services now available to users and compares them to one another. The organization and the technical services provided by independent, third-party contracting firms are described. Particular attention is paid to the special needs of mixedvendor computer system users.