Simulation on large batch and small interactive digital computers

Abstract

A simple model for determining the costs of simula tion on two types of simulation systems is developed. One system is the batch-oriented S360/CSMP system operating on an IBM 360/50 computer. The other system is an interactive simulation system operating on a DEC PDP-12 computer. The workload considered includes six problems of varying complexity and is "typical" of those simulation problems encountered in undergraduate and graduate simulation courses. The model indicates that if only a few simulation runs are required, the PDP-12 system is the more cost effective of two systems. The S360/CSMP system, how ever, rapidly becomes more cost effective as the number of simulation runs increases. The factors affecting various cost tradoffs are indicated, and the model is evaluated for a selected set of parameters.