Addresses the major issues involved in computer design and architectures. Dealing primarily with theory, tools, and techniques as related to advanced computer systems, it provides tutorials and surveys and relates new important research results. Each chapter provides background information, describes and analyzes important work done in the field, and provides important direction to the reader on future work and further readings. The topics covered include hierarchical design schemes, parallel and distributed modeling and simulation, parallel simulation tools and techniques, theoretical models for formal and performance modeling, and performance evaluation techniques.

Focuses on the argument that performance modelling and simulation has become a central issue in computer science and engineering, in part due to its applications to the structures comprising the internet. Dealing primarily with theory, tools, and techniques related to communications systems, it provides tutorials and surveys and relates new important research results. Each chapter provides background information, describes and analyses important work done in the field, and provides important direction to the reader on future work and further readings. The topics covered include traffic models for ATM networks, simulation environments, analytical methods, interprocessor communications and an evaluation of process architectures.