INFO4110 : Performance Evaluation

"Performance evaluation" is a label that covers many topics, from theory to practice, in computer science and computer engineering. It includes the design of mathematical models (very often with probabilistic assumptions), the analysis of such models (mathematically or using simulation), the design of experimental protocols (measuring tools and data collection), the analysis of data (statistics on real experiments or in silicon experiments). It is used to design, compare or tune computer systems and communication networks. Some tools also apply to related systems like transport networks, logistics or automatic control.

The goal of the course is to initiate students to the different possible techniques to evaluate the performance of computing systems. After taking the course, students will be able to define and perform a performance evaluation campaign, from choosing which techniques to employ (models, simulations, real-world experiments) to what components to evaluate, to which performance metrics to use.

Covered topics:

• Queuing theory
• Simulation
• Experimental performance analysis