The purpose of this book, in the author's own words is "... two-fold. First, it should be usable as a text for a one or two semester graduate course in the theory and practice of performance evaluation with strong emphasis on analytic modeling. Second, it should be useful as a reference to both researchers and practitioners in the performance evaluation field". The recommended prerequisite courses are "probability theory, operating systems, and computer architecture." If one throws in a course in linear algebra or matrix theory (how can Markov chains be studied without it?) then one has the typical undergraduate major (or a good minor) degree in Computer Science/Engineering.
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