Advanced Performance Modeling

Advanced Performance Modeling

To address this issue, a more advanced method of performance modeling is required. The purpose of this more advanced form is to facilitate testing of multiple hardware and network resource configurations without actually having all of the resources present. This allows an enterprise to run extensive tests, including what-if scenarios, in order to make informed decisions about their physical resource purchases. The difference between these two methods is most evident in their end results: TCA tests known data and existing resources to the point of failure, defining the physical limits of the system. Advanced performance modeling tests possible configuration scenarios with a greater number of variables, and can be used not only to predict the physical limits of the system, but also to suggest possible improvements prior to those limits being reached.

Performance modeling also allows software engineers to test models of their code before the code is complete. This can be achieved by defining the design of the software in a language like Universal Modeling Language (UML), which is an industry-standard design formalism. By creating code objects that encapsulate the performance characteristics of software in terms of expected resource utilization and workflow, performance engineering is accomplished through the creation and evaluation of performance models.

Another obvious benefit of this virtual model approach is the flexibility of testing during the design phase. Software engineers can establish the time and resource constraints of their system and test different architecture options before committing to writing finalized code. Doing this reduces the chance that code will have to be massaged or rewritten a second time to meet performance requirements and therefore reduces both time to release and possible introduction of errors.