Method for mutual monitoring of components of a distributed computer system

A storage medium storing a computer program for implementation of a mutual monitoring of components of a distributed computer system for a safety-relevant application in a motor vehicle, the computer program being capable of running on a computing element, when executed by the computing element, causing the computing element to perform a method comprising:

• performing an internal monitoring function which detects faults the component, and a mutual monitoring function, which performs a mutual check on results which have been determined by other components of the distributed computer system and makes a majority selection from the results of the mutual monitoring;
• and
• determining whether there is a fault in a monitored component as a function of both a result of the internal monitoring function and the results of the mutual monitoring functions.

A control unit for a component of a distributed computer system having a plurality of components for a safety-relevant application in a motor vehicle, the control unit compnsing:

• an internal monitoring function arrangement configured to perform an internal monitoring function which detects faults in the component, and
• a mutual monitoring function arrangement which performs a mutual check on results determined by the plurality of components and makes a majority selection from the results;
• wherein the control unit takes into account a result of the internal monitoring function and the results of the mutual monitoring functions in the case of a decision regarding whether there is a fault in the component.