Analyzing Computer Systems Performance: With Perl: PDQ [Hardcover]

Neil J. Gunther (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 2005

Makes performance analysis and queueing theory concepts simple to understand and available to anyone with a background in high school algebra

Presents the practical application of these concepts in the context of modern, distributed, computer system designs

Packed with helpful examples that are based on the author's experience analyzing the performance of large-scale systems over the past 20 years.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews:

"The literature of computer performance analysis is generally composed of two groups: heavy theoretical treatises and performance cookbooks. … Surprisingly, this book is exceptionally well balanced between theory and practice … . I strongly recommend this book, both for the novice practitioner and for the experienced performance analyst. Both can extract a vast array of benefits, ranging from understanding the theoretical concepts of performance modeling, to building for themselves a powerful modeling tool … ." (Jair Merlo, Computing Reviews, May, 2005)

About the Author

 

Neil Gunther, M.Sc., Ph.D. is a leading industry computer performance consultant who founded Performance Dynamics Company (www.perfdynamics.com) in 1994. Prior to that, Dr. Gunther held research and management positions at San Jose State University, JPL/NASA (Voyager and Galileo spacecraft), Xerox PARC research center and Pyramid/Siemens Technology. His performance and capacity planning classes have been presented at such organizations as Boeing, Fedex, Motorola, Stanford University, and Sun Microsystems.

Dr. Gunther is the author of over a hundred papers on computer performance topics, including "HIT-AND-RUN TACTICS ENABLE GUERRILLA CAPACITY PLANNING," published recently in IEEE IT Professional magazine. He has also written the book THE PRACTICAL PERFORMANCE ANALYST (iUniverse.com 2000). In 1996 he was awarded Best Technical Paper at CMG, and in 1997 was nominated for the A.A. Michelson Award. Dr. Gunther is a member of the AMS, ACM, CMG, IEEE, SAGE-AU, SIGMETRICS and USENIX.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 459 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (June 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540208658
• ISBN-13: 978-3540208655
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,433,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great tool for the capacity planner or performance analyst, May 25, 2005

By 

J. Martin (Overland Park, KS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Analyzing Computer Systems Performance: With Perl: PDQ (Hardcover)

This book lays out basics of queuing theory in a way that is both understandable and easy to apply. I have fumbled for years using complex performance analysis tools without ever really knowing whether or not I'm getting the right answer. Now I know what looks right and what doesn't. Gunther has an easy to follow style as he introduces the concepts of queuing theory. Then he shows you how to apply what you have learned using real life examples. It's a definite "must have" for the capacity planner or system performance analyst.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars concise and lucid exposition on performance analysis, May 11, 2005

By 

metasoft - See all my reviews

This review is from: Analyzing Computer Systems Performance: With Perl: PDQ (Hardcover)

dr. gunther has written a gem of a performance analysis book. for starter, the unix load average is a wonderful detective story. i especially liked chapter 5 with real performance analysis experiences applying queueing theory discussed in both chapter 2 and 3. the best part is dr. gunther's exposition of queueing theory into the essence for the working performance analysts. in addition, appendix B on buffers and appendix C on memoryless property are the most lucid explanation i have read. i would also heartily recommend dr. gunther's other book, the practical performance analyst.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Both theory and practice plus free modeling software, September 17, 2006

By 

Hugh Smith (san francisco, ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Analyzing Computer Systems Performance: With Perl: PDQ (Hardcover)

The coverage of the theory in the first part of the book is very well done. However, its the practical examples in the second half where the book really shines. There are a number of examples modeling client server and web applications.

A copy of his modeling tool, PDQ, is available by download from his website. This version is in Perl. Even though I am not a very experienced Perl programmer I think this is an interesting way to get more practice by building PDQ models. The PDQ package is explained very well and a number of example models are covered.

Some of the examples are from various scattered publications. It's great to get these example models collected in one volume. Dr. Gunthers characteristic sense of humor comes through in the examples.

There is some very practical information about model validation and what to do to account for hidden latencies. There are clear examples of how to practice the art of applying queuing models to real problems.

I would have liked to see some more examples of load dependent servers. Overall I rate the book five stars and I really appreciate getting the modeling software for free!