Spidel Tech Solutions, Inc. - Primary Services

Primary Services

The main thing is that the main thing remain the main thing. This section introduces the notion of a primary service. From a systems perspective, a service is a synonym for feature. A primary service is a service, the success of which is essential to a system. Failure of a primary service constitutes system failure. Critical systems have primary services defined so that developers will take extreme measures to ensure their success.

For example; in the telephone network, if a voice switch fails to produce dial tone on its subscriber lines then it has failed no matter what else it may be doing correctly. Early AT&T ESS switches were designed to supply dial tone constantly for all but a couple hours of their planned 20 year life span. These early electronic switches were very reliable as a result of the care taken in their design. Ever wonder why other systems are not so reliable as your standard phone?

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