System independent tracing for prediction of system performance
Thomas Beretvas · Annual Simulation Symposium · 1973
Modeling has been frequently used for predicting the effects of hardware or software changes on the performance of an existing computer system. Most simulation models used for this purpose rely on self-driven models (using probabilistic distribution functions) describing the load applied to the computer system.Trace-driven simulation models have also been used for system performance prediction, but the traces obtained were generally greatly influenced by the environment (the operating system and the hardware) in which the traces were obtained.This paper defines the technique of obtaining traces characterizing application programs (jobs) independently of the system on which the tracing was performed. The job profiles so obtained can then be used to drive the simulation model of a computer system in which the software (operating system) and the hardware used are modeled. The software and hardware models can be distinct of the traced system.An implementation of the tracing technology so defined is shown. Finally, the applicability of the trace-driven simulation technology for validation of an operating system model is demonstrated.