Performance modeling for designing client/server systems

Performance modeling of client/server applications is a very useful technique for comparing possible distributed application designs. In this paper we discuss a high level approach to modeling client/server applications which we characterize at a logical level. This is in contrast to a model developed at a physical level dealing with client workstations, token rings, Ethernets, routers, bridges, gateways, wide area network communication links, network controllers, and various types of servers.