A Computer Resource Allocation Model with Some Measured and Simulation Results

A need exists to predict computing system performance as a function of the system workload, resource architecture, and resource management policies. A model of multiprocessor, multiprogrammed virtual memory computing systems is described which can provide such predictions more economically than previous approaches. The model characterizes central processors, I/O devices, a memory hierarchy, permanent files, channels, and the organization of these resources. The dynamic resource demands made by user and system software are modeled using directed graphs. An extremely simple characterization of a Burroughs B6700 system processing a controlled workload is defined using this model. The correspondence between utilization produced by model simulations and actual B6700 measurements demonstrates the model´s potential value.