The Rand Monitor/Stimulus-Generator: A Simple Approach to Response Time Analyses in On-Line Computer Systems.

摘要

Analysis of on-line systems often requires that loads be input to measure system response time. The loads can be artificial or natural--both have their drawbacks. Precise replication of natural loads cannot be attained, making accurate comparisons of system responses nearly impossible. Artificial loads, on the other hand, are not always applicable, since they do not replicate real user activity and generally represent a much lower level of demand. This report describes an analysis technique that uses a combination of natural and artificial loading, employing the advantages of each. The Rand Monitor/Stimulus-Generator (RMS) was built to aid in the development of the analysis techniques. The RMS interfaces between the terminal and communication lines; it stimulates the system by inserting a prestored message into the natural work stream repeatedly and measuring the resulting response times for the message. The load, then, is totally natural except for the small, incremental artificial load introduced by the measurement.