Human factors in the dependability of IP networks

The motivation for the Finnish Government funded research project IPLU, “Dependability evaluation methods for IP networks”, in 2006 and its follow-up, IPLU-II, was concern about the dependability of the IP-based communication infrastructure. IPLU’s task was to create a broad conceptual framework for considering the complex problem, “Can one rely on IP technology?”, and to identify and develop methods for assessing the dependability of IP networks. IPLU-II continued with selected focused topics. A special feature of both IPLU and IPLU-II was their multidisciplinary nature, drawing on the expertise of the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, which carried out both research projects, in communication technologies, mathematical modelling, statistics, safety-critical systems and psychology. The projects were supported by most of Finland’s key players in the field.