I have been following Y2k issues for over a year now. It would appear to me that the most critical issue is that of embedded systems within the power utility arena. No power means that we don't really have a problem with hardware and software applications.

This is my "take" on this issue. Firstly, it is not possible to determine which ones will be affected by Y2k. This is because the manufacturer did not keep records to that level of detail, manufacturer could be out of business, different programmers could have programmed "their" way resulting in some chips being compliant and others not, and other possible reasons.

Secondly, given the above, it only makes sense to me that to truly find out which ones are affected is to test. Start testing until you come to a failed chip. Redesign new chip. Test new chip. Put new chip back into production. Continue this process until you get no failures.

If a power plant has 10,000 embedded systems and we allow 5% for date related chips, that means that maybe 500 chips must be found, redesigned, tested, and replaced, one at a time.

I know the above is rather simplistic, but is there enough time? What about downtime because of failures? One plant took 13 days to get a plant up and running again. What about supplies (coal, gas, etc.)? What about co-ordinating with other power producers on the grid?

So many questions, so little time...

-- Anonymous, December 23, 1997

Answers

What they're up against

Leo, you definately hit the high points.

As Dave Hall said in a recent rant on DeJager's list, the embedded systems problem is real. Companies are going to have to get over it and deal with it. Ignoring it is only delaying the problem - and dealing with it after failure is not a really pleasant option. Unfortunately, too many companies are apparently taking this path.

-- Anonymous, December 23, 1997

Leo:

Why deal with it? Simply sell the existing business in 3/98. Let new owner deal with embedded chip dilema. Remember: Step #1 is identifying. The new owner won't have to deal with Step #2 or Step #3. Sounds financially sound to me. (For further details on extraordinary cope, see Rick's weekly letter forum.)

-- Anonymous, January 06, 1998

Rick, this is a nice forum setup you have here. Congrats!

Of recent note and of interest to this thread is the following. The Minnesota Software Association has 3000 members and its current newsletter urges its readers to read its feature indepth article on embedded systems and the Year 2000 and the threat to Core Infrastructures.

Click on "Year 2000: A perspective on embedded systems" by Roleigh Martin at the Minnesota Software Association web page: http://www.msa.org/

-- Roleigh Martin http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/roleigh_martin (a web site that focuses on Y2k and core infrastructures)

-- Anonymous, January 09, 1998