In the telecom industry, dependability requirements have always been of paramount importance. In the current era of converged networks and multi-service equipment, dependability requirements are becoming more varied and all-encompassing. Where a single network solution may provide services for Internet browsing, IPTV and business critical activities, a single failure could bring them all down, which showcases the need for continued due diligence.

When constructing a new network element, knowing the full scope of the dependability program before actual development is critical to ensuring that the end product will achieve the stringent requirements of the telecom industry. The timeline for hardware and software development and the key dependability activities that need to be performed allow for the management of resources and procurement of tools necessary for a successful program. This presentation will delve into the role of a Nortel "embedded dependability prime" and what it takes for successful dependability management of a new product development. Both hardware and software tasks, and when they should be applied for maximum effectiveness, will be explored. Managing third party software and open source software from a dependability perspective also will be discussed.

Key Words: Dependability, Management, Planning, Hardware Reliability, Software Reliability