Use of simulation to test client-server models

  • Authors:

  • Yogesh L. Deshpande;Roger Jenkins;Simon Taylor

  • Affiliations:

  • Faculty of Business and Technology, University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, P O Box 555, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Austrlia;Faculty of Business and Technology, University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, P O Box 555, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, AUSTRALIA;Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH England

  • Venue:
  • WSC '96 Proceedings of the 28th conference on Winter simulation
  • Year:
  • 1996

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Abstract

Simulation is used for many purposes: for example, to analyse a complex system, to visualise the functioning of a system, and to optimise or tune a system. While there is no limitation on the use of simulation, the general consensus is that an analytical solution, if one is possible, is always to be preferred to simulation as a methodology. In the field of information systems, client-server models exhibit a degree of complexity and richness not amenable to easy analytical solutions, except for some specific algorithms useful in limited contexts. Simulation could, therefore, be a good strategy to analyse the client-server systems and help in better implementation of feasible solutions. This paper examines the current state of client-server models and use of simulation in dealing with the problems encountered. The paper then compares the seven-layer OSI model for communications architecture and recommends that a similarly layered approach is likely to prove useful in simulating client-server systems. In the process, the paper also points out that the simulation models bring into a sharp focus the importance of software metrics, an area of vital importance in software development.