Performance evaluation tools: Development and use
Parallel to the methodological work at the chair, the development and application of tools for model-based performance evaluation (LB) is continuously pursued. These tools enable the system evaluator to provide a problem-oriented system description, largely unencumbered by details of the various analysis techniques. The mapping of the model description to an analyzable model is done automatically. Tools developed at LS IV include:
HIT: (Postscript in english)
HIT is a modeling environment that allows modular and hierarchical specification of even large complex models that can be analyzed using simulation and a variety of exact and approximate, analytical and numerical techniques.
HiQPN: (Postscript in english)
The HiQPN tool supports the analysis of hierarchical QPN models. QPN models form a superset to colored GSPNs and queueing networks and can be analyzed with respect to both qualitative and quantitative aspects.
The APNN toolbox supports the functional (invariant calculation, liveness, model checking) and quantitative analysis (APNNsim, NSolve, Parallel, SupGSPN) of hierarchical GSPN models. The editor APNNed is used for the modeling of GSPNs. Furthermore, the analysis tools can be started from the editor and a subsequent visualization of the results is possible. The communication between APNNed and the analyzers is done via the textual exchange format APNN (Abstract Petri net notation).
The SLA Tool supports the efficient calculation of bounds in hierarchical systems for typical quantitative quantities in service level agreements (SLAs) such as response times. The calculation is based on the SLA specifications of the individual components. Furthermore, the tool calculates corresponding barriers for necessary service capacities that a service provider must provide in order to be able to guarantee the agreed SLAs.
ProFiDo is a graphical toolkit that supports a variety of tools for customizing and modeling arrival processes. ProFiDo is characterized by
- a consistent use of command line oriented tools for customizing processes
- a GUI for graphical creation of workflows
- an XML format for describing stochastic processes
- easy extensibility through an XML file for configuration of the GUI and converter scripts
- an integrated tool for the creation of plots (density function, distribution function, autocorrelation, ...)
All tools have a graphical interface and are available for common workstations. They are widely tested and used, e.g. for the investigation of operating systems in the design stage, for the assessment of future hardware architectures, for the evaluation of distributed systems and telecommunication systems. They are equally suitable for the investigation of transport, manufacturing, logistic and similar systems. Systems. The practical usability of the tools is documented in a large number of external installations in universities, research institutes and industry.