Performance prediction for different consistency schemes in distributed shared memory systems

A model for predicting relative performance in distributed shared memory systems is presented. The model is intended for use with systems that feature adaptive consistency schemes. Based on estimated read/write access patterns, the model determines the average steady-state communication costs in the system, which serve as a performance indicator. The model is applied to data items which may be either compact data objects or objects consisting of smaller data elements. It is shown that the best results are attained when protocol selection is done at the level of data elements