IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/inm/oropre/v26y1978i5p881-895.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Processor Utilization Model for a Multiprocessor Computer System

Author

Listed:
  • Richard E. Nance

    (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia)

  • U. Narayan Bhat

    (Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas)

Abstract

Using a G / M / s / N queuing system model, we develop a processor utilization model for a simplified multiprocessor computer system. Jobs are assumed to arrive according to a general input process, and each job is assigned randomly to an available processor. A finite capacity input buffer is used if no processor is available. The mathematical model is based on the busy period analysis, and two utilization measures are derived: processor utilization (the fraction of processor occupation time during a busy cycle) and system utilization (the fraction of actual utilization time for all processors). A computational model for these utilization measures is developed through an imbedded Markov chain approach. Experimentation with the computational model reveals the sensitivity of the model to variability in the arrival process. Comparison of 2-processor and 4-processor systems from the operator perspective indicates a qualified preference for the behavior of the 2-processor system. This preference must be carefully interpreted since processor costs, the increase in overhead with an increase in processors, and behavioral variables reflecting the user perspective are excluded.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard E. Nance & U. Narayan Bhat, 1978. "A Processor Utilization Model for a Multiprocessor Computer System," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 26(5), pages 881-895, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:oropre:v:26:y:1978:i:5:p:881-895
    DOI: 10.1287/opre.26.5.881
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/opre.26.5.881
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1287/opre.26.5.881?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:inm:oropre:v:26:y:1978:i:5:p:881-895. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Chris Asher (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/inforea.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.