Performance Modeling of Distributed and Replicated Databases

Matthias Nicola, Matthias Jarke


Abstract

This paper surveys performance models for distributed and replicated 
database systems. Over the last 20 years a variety of such performance 
models have been developed and they differ in (1) which aspects of a real 
system are or are not captured in the model (e.g. replication, communication, 
non-uniform data access, etc.) and (2) how these aspects are modeled. 
We classify the different alternatives and modeling assumptions, and 
discuss their interdependencies and expressiveness for the representation
 of distributed databases. To illustrate the work that is surveyed, we select
 from our classification a representative combination of proven modeling 
concepts and give an example how to compose a balanced analytical model 
of a replicated database. We use this example to show how to derive 
meaningful performance values and to discuss the applicability and 
expressiveness of performance models for distributed and 
replicated database systems.

Index Terms
performance models, distributed databases, replication,
 interdatabase communication, modeling assumptions, queueing theory.