This redbook will help you successfully complete performance-related measurements or tests (commonly called benchmarks) by giving a detailed description of the various stages that make up a benchmark project, such as defining requirements and objectives, planning activities, preparing resources, executing tests, and reporting results.
Extensive checklists are provided to help benchmark participants keep track of the progress of the benchmark project. The Appendixes also contain references to other sources of benchmarking information.
This redbook is intended to help project leaders, project managers, and consultants plan a benchmark project. It will also help technical specialists, technical marketing representatives and system engineers who are involved in the execution of benchmark tests and the presentation of their results. Sales representatives will find the less-technical chapters useful in assessing the efforts and costs related to a proposed benchmark project.
Since the authors of this redbook have a strong RS/6000 background, most of the examples come from the RS/6000 environment. Nevertheless, we believe that the principles underlying a successful benchmark apply to all environments.
To benefit from this redbook, the reader should have some basic understanding of the technology of modern information systems, including hardware and software. Detailed knowledge of specific hardware or software products is not assumed
