Abstract: An improved technique involves using a systems dynamics model in an information technology (IT) data center in order to determine an optimal distribution of data among data center devices. Along these lines, a data center control server takes measurements of devices across an IT data center over time and compares these measurements to quantities specified in set points (e.g., a service level agreement (SLA)) to produce deviations. The data center control server then inputs the deviations from the set points into a systems dynamics engine that determines a configuration of the devices in the IT data center so that output from the IT data center satisfies a set of constraints, including those specified in the SLA. The data center control server then configures the IT data center devices according to the configuration to send incoming data along the specified data paths.