Note: Optimal allocation of resources to nodes of series systems with respect to failure-rate ordering

Allocation of spare components in a system in order to optimize the lifetime of the system with respect to a suitable criterion is of considerable interest in reliability, engineering, industry, and defense. We consider the problem of allocation of K active spares to a series system of independent and identical components in order to optimize the failure-rate function of the system. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.