SWAP, a performance evaluation tool

Presents a simulation-based workbench for predicting the performance of distributed applications. SWAP (Simulation Workbench for distributed Application Performance) is based on providing end-users with mechanisms to specify the essential characteristics of the application being designed and the ability to match the software components with the operational environment (hardware and operating system). SWAP helps distributed information systems (IS) designers to forecast and optimise the performances of complex configurations integrating relational databases. Its graphical environment enables user manipulation of IS data: hardware and software configurations, databases and applications (queries, transactions, transaction scripts). The workbench computes the response times of the applications and identifies the critical components and the limits of logical resources