Abstract: A general network reliability simulation model based on a time-evolving state-transition Monte Carlo method is introduced. The model can be used to simulate and evaluate various network reliability indexes for 2-terminal or multi-terminal connectivity including network reliability, network availability, MTTF, MTBF, MTTR, etc. Compared to the exiting method, this model applies more widely. For that, either the network link or network nodes can be unreliable; the network can be unrepairable or repairable with either limited or unlimited repair capability; furthermore, life distribution and repair time distribution of the network elements can be either exponential or not. Simulation and analysis of reliability and availability parameters of several directed and undirected network with various repair capabilities demonstrate the versatility of the model to simulate and estimate various network reliability indexes for various networks; also the comparison of some of the results with those of former studies validates the model.

Key words: network reliability, network availability, Mont Carlo simulation, unreliable node, limited repair