Performance Modeling of Database Systems: a Survey

This paper presents a systematic survey of the existing database system performance evaluation models based on the queueing theory. The continuous evolution of the methodologies developed is classified according to the mathematical modeling language used. This survey covers formal models – from queueing systems and queueing networks to queueing Petri nets. Some fundamentals of the queueing system theory are presented and queueing system models are classified according to service time distribution. The paper introduces queueing networks and considers several classification criteria applicable to such models. This survey distinguishes methodologies, which evaluate database performance at the integrated system level. Finally, queueing Petri nets are introduced, which combine modeling power of queueing networks and Petri nets. Two performance models within this formalism are investigated. We find that an insufficient amount of research effort is directed into the area of NoSQL data stores. Vast majority of models developed focus on traditional relational models. These models should be adapted to evaluate performance of non-relational data stores.