Software performance modelling using PEPA nets

Abstract

Modelling and analysing distributed and mobile software systems is a challenging task. PEPA nets---coloured stochastic Petri nets---are a recently introduced modelling formalism which clearly capture important features such as location, synchronisation and message passing. In this paper we describe PEPA nets and the newly-developed platform support for software performance modelling using them. Crucial to this support is the compilation from PEPA nets into Hillston's PEPA stochastic process algebra in order to access the software tools which support the PEPA algebra. In addition to derivation of steady state performance measures, this suite of tools allows properties of the system to be verified using model-checking. We show the application of PEPA nets in the modelling and analysis of a secure Web service.

References

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Index Terms

• General and reference

  • Cross-computing tools and techniques

    • Performance

• Social and professional topics

  • Professional topics

    • Management of computing and information systems

      • Software management

        • Software selection and adaptation

• Software and its engineering

  • Software creation and management

    • Software development process management

      • Software development methods

  • Software notations and tools

    • General programming languages

      • Language types

  • Software organization and properties

    • Extra-functional properties

      • Software performance