{{Other uses, Serviceability (disambiguation)
In
software engineering and
hardware engineering, serviceability (also known as supportability) is one of the -
ilities or aspects (from IBM's
RAS(U) (Reliability, Availability, Serviceability, and Usability)). It refers to the ability of
technical support personnel to install, configure, and monitor computer products, identify exceptions or faults,
debug
In computer programming and software development, debugging is the process of finding and resolving '' bugs'' (defects or problems that prevent correct operation) within computer programs, software, or systems.
Debugging tactics can involve int ...
or isolate faults to
root cause analysis, and provide hardware or
software maintenance
Software maintenance in software engineering is the modification of a software product after delivery to correct faults, to improve performance or other attributes.
A common perception of maintenance is that it merely involves fixing defects. H ...
in pursuit of solving a problem and restoring the product into service. Incorporating serviceability facilitating features typically results in more efficient product maintenance and reduces operational costs and maintains business continuity.
Examples of features that facilitate serviceability include:
*
Help desk notification of exceptional events (e.g., by
electronic mail or by sending
text to a
pager)
*
Network monitoring
*
Documentation
Documentation is any communicable material that is used to describe, explain or instruct regarding some attributes of an object, system or procedure, such as its parts, assembly, installation, maintenance and use. As a form of knowledge manageme ...
*
Event logging /
Tracing (software)
* Logging of
program s