The Hardware Simulator: A Tool for Evaluating Computer Systems

Software simulation is often used when evaluating computer systems. It may, however, be time consuming and expensive, especially when many runs with slightly differing parameters have to be done or when small changes in the model have to be performed frequently. In such situations, and when not too much detail and only small amounts of output data are required, the hardware simulator described in this paper may be an effective tool. The hardware simulator is an apparatus on which physical models of computer systems can be built. The main frame consists of a console, power supply, and many connectors in which standard modules can be plugged. Each standard module represents a special function, essential in a computer system. The model is constructed by connecting the modules in a specific way. In this paper the special functions and the standard modules which represent them are described. A description is given of a number of central modules with which input parameters can be represented and results of the simulation run can be displayed. As an illustration the implementation on the hardware simulator of a simple model is presented. Finally, the possible fields of application of the apparatus are indicated. A prototype of the hardware simulator has been built in the Department of Computer Engineering, Technological University of Eindhoven, The Netherlands.