Abstract: An optimizer optimizes the configuration of a computer system, such as a web farm. The optimizer makes use of a performance simulator that simulates a cluster of machines running a given workload. A modular architecture allows different optimization modules to be plugged into the optimization system. In addition, the modular architecture also interfaces with different simulators through a simulator interface module. The simulator is decoupled from the optimization module. Simulation data may be filtered to provide and store only relevant objective and parameter values. A unique comparison module also guides the optimization module towards the optimum solution, even if no solutions have yet satisfied the objective completely. By caching simulation and/or optimization results (i.e. as opposed to raw simulation output data from the simulator), the simulations from previous simulation runs and different designers may be reused to reduce the time required for each optimization.

Abstract: A performance prediction simulator gives effect to the resource contention among multiple resources in a simulated system by adjusting event durations appropriately. A resource topology tree defining the resource configuration of the system is input to the simulator. The simulator includes an evaluation engine that determines the amount of resource used during each simulation interval of the simulation and records the resource usage in a resource contention timeline, which can be displayed to a user. The amount of resource used during a simulation is also used to adjust the event duration calculations of the hardware models associated with each event.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of instructing at least one operator in a best practices implementation of a process for managing resource capacity in an information technology (IT) environment is provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of instructing at least one operator in a best practices implementation of a process for managing resource capacity in an information technology (IT) environment is provided.

Abstract: An infrastructure and a set of steps are disclosed for evaluating performance of computer systems. The infrastructure and method provide a flexible platform for carrying out analysis of various computer systems under various workload conditions. The flexible platform is achieved by allowing/supporting independent designation/incorporation of a workload specification and a system upon which the workload is executed. The analytical framework disclosed and claimed herein facilitates flexible/dynamic integration of various hardware models and workload specifications into a system performance analysis, and potentially streamlines development of customized computer software/system specific analyses. The disclosed performance technology infrastructure includes a workload specification interface facilitating designation of a particular computing instruction workload. The workload comprises a list of resource usage requests.

Abstract: The described systems, methods, and data structures are directed at automatic configuration of transaction-based performance models. Models of an infrastructure are created and automatically configured using data provided by existing management tools that are designed to monitor the infrastructure. These automatically configured models may be used to simulate the performance of the infrastructure in the current configuration or other potential configurations. The models may also be automatically validated calibrated by comparing results from simulations and measured data.

Abstract: The described systems, methods, and data structures are directed at automatic configuration of transaction-based performance models. Models of an infrastructure are created and automatically configured using data provided by existing management tools that are designed to monitor the infrastructure. These automatically configured models may be used to simulate the performance of the infrastructure in the current configuration or other potential configurations.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a communication model are disclosed. The communication model is used to provide performance information on the use of communication networks by application code. The expected utilization of resources is important to when high performance is to be achieved in both cluster computing environments and information power GRIDs. The disclosed method and system is designed to generate a model of an underlying network topology using detailed workload information, which encapsulates the expected computation/communication requirements of an application. Such workload information may be obtained from a number of different sources. Furthermore, the disclosed method provides detailed information of the expected use of a network system unlike traditional communication models that rely on statistical information and provide general performance information.