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From: baker@hpfcla.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.arch
Subject: Re: Re: IOCALL results and problems
Message-ID: <14600002@hpfcms.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 3-Jan-86 16:36:00 EST
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Posted: Fri Jan  3 16:36:00 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 13-Jan-86 08:00:41 EST
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Organization: 03 Jan 86 14:36:00 MST
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	Here at HP we use a system to test the multiuser  performance of
	our  mini/micro  systems using a scheme much like that described
	in previous  notes.  The system is called termial  emulation and
	performance evaluation (TEPE).

	One or more  HP3000's  are used to simulate  users on the system
	under  test  (SUT).  Scripts  were  developed  to  simulate  the
	behavior  of users in several  different  environments  (program
	development, word processing,  computationally intensive, etc.).
	TEPE  generates  a random  inter-character  typing  delay  and a
	random "think time" between  commands given time ranges for each
	interval.  This random delay coupled with a staggered start time
	for each  "user" on the SUT,  prevents  corrupt  timings  due to
	lock-stepped script execution.  The script is iterated until the
	specified time interval has elapsed.  Measurements  taken at the
	start of the test are  discarded  because  not all "users"  have
	instantiated  a session  and the load has not  stablized.  Tools
	for  collecting,  summarizing  and  plotting  the data have been
	developed to allow performance characterization up to 64 users.

	Obviously, this is not a standard test that many vendors publish
	as  performance  data.  So,  if  HP  is  interested  in  a  true
	multiuser comparision to a competitors system, a machine must be
	obtained  for the  duration  of the test.  TEPE is used  largely
	used within HP for comparing internal products and for tuning.

	Jim Baker
	hpfcla!baker
	Fort Collins System Division