Open AccessInformatics in Radiology (infoRAD)
Author(s) -
Brent J. Liu,
H. K. Huang,
Fei Cao,
Michael Z. Zhou,
Jianguo Zhang,
Greg T. Mogel
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
radiographics
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1527-1323
pISSN - 0271-5333
DOI - 10.1148/rg.244035051
Subject(s) - medicine , computer science , redundancy (engineering) , upload , backup , reliability (semiconductor) , modular design , operating system , embedded system , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics
The operational reliability of the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) server in a filmless hospital environment is always a major concern because server failure could cripple the entire PACS operation. A simple, low-cost, continuous-availability (CA) PACS archive server was designed and developed. The server makes use of a triple modular redundancy (TMR) system with a simple majority voting logic that automatically identifies a faulty module and removes it from service. The remaining two modules continue normal operation with no adverse effects on data flow or system performance. In addition, the server is integrated with two external mass storage devices for short- and long-term storage. Evaluation and testing of the server were conducted with laboratory experiments in which hardware failures were simulated to observe recovery time and the resumption of normal data flow. The server provides maximum uptime (99.999%) for end users while ensuring the transactional integrity of all clinical PACS data. Hardware failure has only minimal impact on performance, with no interruption of clinical data flow or loss of data. As hospital PACS become more widespread, the need for CA PACS solutions will increase. A TMR CA PACS archive server can reliably help achieve CA in this setting.