| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to Google's smart home products causing major Wi-Fi issues has happened again within the same organization. Users reported that Google Home and Google Chromecast devices were causing problems with their Wi-Fi networks, leading to instability or network outages [67283, 67359].
(b) The software failure incident has also affected multiple organizations as other devices, including TP-Link routers, Asus, Linksys, Netgear, and Synology routers, were also impacted by the bug related to the Cast feature sending an excessive number of packets to the router, causing crashes [67359]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design |
(a) The software failure incident in the articles is related to the design phase. Google's Chromecast TV gadgets and Google Home smart speaker were causing major Wi-Fi issues for users due to a bug in the Cast software on Android phones, which incorrectly sent a large amount of network traffic, impacting Wi-Fi networks [67283, 67359]. The bug was introduced by the system development or system updates, affecting the operation of the devices and leading to network instability or outages. Google acknowledged the issue and promised to release a fix to address the design-related bug. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident reported in the articles is primarily due to a bug within Google's smart home products, specifically the Chromecast TV gadgets and Google Home smart speaker. The bug in the Cast software on Android phones was causing these devices to incorrectly send a large amount of network traffic, overloading home Wi-Fi networks and impacting their performance [67283, 67359].
(b) outside_system: The incident also involved contributing factors originating from outside the system, such as the interaction between the Cast feature and various router models from different manufacturers like TP-Link, Asus, Linksys, Netgear, and Synology. The issue was exacerbated by a recent firmware update that caused the devices to send an excessive number of packets to the router, leading to crashes [67359]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
- The incident was caused by a bug in the Cast software on Android phones, which incorrectly sent a large amount of network traffic, overloading home Wi-Fi networks [67283].
- The issue was specifically related to the Cast feature, which allowed devices like phones, Google Home speakers, and Chromecast devices to communicate. Following a firmware update, these devices would sometimes send an excessive number of packets to the router, causing it to crash [67359].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
- Users reported issues with their Wi-Fi networks after hooking up Google hardware products like Google Home and Chromecast devices [67283].
- Google advised users hit by the bug to update their router firmware, indicating a potential human action required to mitigate the impact of the software failure [67283].
- TP-Link released official patches for the bug affecting their routers, suggesting a human action of applying firmware updates to address the issue [67359]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to hardware:
- The incident was caused by a bug in Google's smart home products, specifically the Chromecast TV gadgets and Google Home smart speaker, which were overloading home Wi-Fi networks [67283].
- TP-Link explained that the issue was caused by the Cast feature, which allows communication between phones, Google Home speakers, and Chromecast devices. Following a firmware update, these devices would sometimes send an excessive number of packets to the router, causing it to crash [67359].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to software:
- The software failure incident was primarily due to a bug in the Cast software on Android phones, which incorrectly sent a large amount of network traffic, impacting Wi-Fi networks [67283].
- Google mentioned that a fix was being developed for the bug in the Cast software on Android phones, indicating a software issue [67283].
- Google stated that the fix for the incident would come in the form of an update to Google Play Services, suggesting a software solution [67359]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
non-malicious |
(a) The software failure incident reported in the articles is non-malicious. The incident was caused by a bug in Google's smart home products, specifically the Chromecast TV gadgets and Google Home smart speaker, which were overloading home Wi-Fi networks. This bug was not introduced with the intent to harm the system but was a result of a software issue that caused excessive network traffic, impacting Wi-Fi networks [67283, 67359]. The issue was related to the Cast feature that allowed communication between phones, Google Home speakers, and Chromecast devices, leading to an excessive number of packets being sent to the router, causing it to crash [67359]. Google acknowledged the bug and was working on a fix to address the problem [67283, 67359]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The software failure incident related to the Google Home and Chromecast devices causing major Wi-Fi issues for users seems to be more aligned with poor_decisions. Google admitted that a bug in the Cast software on Android phones was incorrectly sending a large amount of network traffic, which was overloading home Wi-Fi networks [67283]. This issue was exacerbated by a recent firmware update that caused the devices to send an excessive number of packets to the router, leading to crashes [67359]. The incident highlights a poor decision in the software development or update process that resulted in significant network disruptions for users. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
accidental |
(a) The software failure incident in the articles seems to be more related to accidental factors rather than development incompetence. The incident was caused by a bug in the Cast software on Android phones that incorrectly sent a large amount of network traffic, leading to Wi-Fi network performance issues [67283]. The excessive number of packets being sent by the devices to the router, causing it to crash, was a result of a recent firmware update that triggered this behavior [67359]. Google and TP-Link are working on fixes to address the issue, indicating that the failure was not due to development incompetence but rather an accidental bug introduced during software updates. |
| Duration |
temporary |
(a) The software failure incident described in the articles was temporary. The incident was caused by a bug in Google's smart home products, specifically the Chromecast TV gadgets and Google Home smart speaker, which were overloading home Wi-Fi networks. Google acknowledged the bug and promised to fix it promptly. Users were advised to update their router firmware, and Google mentioned that a fix was being developed and expected to be released the next day [67283, 67359]. The incident was not described as a permanent failure but rather a temporary issue that could be resolved with a software update. |
| Behaviour |
crash, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in the articles can be categorized as a crash. Users reported that Google Home and Chromecast devices were causing issues with their Wi-Fi networks, leading to an unstable network or a network that went down entirely [67283, 67359].
(b) omission: The incident does not seem to be related to omission as there is no mention of the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s) in the articles.
(c) timing: The incident is not related to timing issues where the system performs its intended functions correctly but too late or too early.
(d) value: The software failure incident is not related to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly.
(e) byzantine: The incident does not exhibit characteristics of a byzantine failure where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident can be described as overloading home Wi-Fi networks due to a bug in the Cast software on Android phones, causing a large amount of network traffic that slows down or impacts Wi-Fi networks [67283, 67359]. |