Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
MTBF is the estimated lifespan of a piece of equipment. MTBF is calculated by the vendor
of the equipment or a third party. The reason for using this value is to know approximately
when a particular device will need to be replaced. Either based on historical
data or scientifically estimated by vendors, it is used as a benchmark for reliability
by predicting the average time that will pass in the operation of a component or a system
until its final death.
Organizations trending MTBF over time for the device they use may be able to identify
types of devices that are failing above the averages promised by manufacturers and
take action such as proactively contacting manufacturers under warranty, or deciding
that old devices are reaching the end of their useful life and choosing to replace them
en masse before larger scale failures and operational disruptions occur.
of the equipment or a third party. The reason for using this value is to know approximately
when a particular device will need to be replaced. Either based on historical
data or scientifically estimated by vendors, it is used as a benchmark for reliability
by predicting the average time that will pass in the operation of a component or a system
until its final death.
Organizations trending MTBF over time for the device they use may be able to identify
types of devices that are failing above the averages promised by manufacturers and
take action such as proactively contacting manufacturers under warranty, or deciding
that old devices are reaching the end of their useful life and choosing to replace them
en masse before larger scale failures and operational disruptions occur.
