Optimal Server Resource Allocation Using an Open Queueing Network Model of Response Time

service level agreement, web performance tuning, software performance modeling, response time, queueing, optimization We present a nonlinear integer optimization model for determining the number of machines at each tier in a multi-tier server network. We utilize a result from an open queueing network model on the average response time; the optimization model is to minimize a weighted sum of total machines while satisfying the average response time constraint (or a service level expression that is convertible to the average response time). We then discuss the solution to this optimization model and present an algorithm that utilizes a bounding procedure.