A systematic method for evaluating the utilization rate of resources of a complex computer is described. The process presumes a large scale multiprogrammed system which experiences workloads in excess of throughput capacities for significant periods daily.The development follows from considerations of benchmarking and the nature of multiprogramming.The method was developed and exploited at the IBM S/370-165 installation at the University of Toronto. Details of the calibration system and quantitative results for a seven-month operational period are presented, including correlations with hardware monitor data.
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