Part 1 - INDIVIDUAL
AREAS OF INTEREST
Preparing for the
Challenge
Abstract
Introduction
In the Beginning
The Need to Address New Applications
Definition of Performance
The Required Skills
Performance Assurance Within a Project Lifecycle
Summary
Caveat Emptor (Let the
Buyer Beware)
Abstract
Software Product Lifecycle
Hardware Product Lifecycle
Marketing
Technical Reviews of Products
Lies, Damned Lies and
Benchmarks
Abstract
Introduction
Industry Benchmarks
Vendor Benchmarks
Independent Benchmarking
In-House Benchmarking
"Tricks of the Trade"
Using Benchmarks
Non-Functional
Requirements and Solutions
Abstract
Introduction
The Problems
Sizing Information
Performance Requirements
Hardware Sizing
Hardware Deployment and Scalability
Availability
The Need for Business Continuity
Summary
Hardware Sizing: The
Crystal Ball Gazing Act
Abstract
The Challenge
Summary of Hardware Sizing Approaches
High Level Sizing Method
Batch Processing Considerations
Sizing Software Products
Sizing Reviews
Deliverables
Hardware Sizing Revisited
Change
Summary
Bid Logistics
Abstract
The Challenge
Bid Qualification
The Political Dimension
Teaming
Dealing with Hardware and Software Vendors
Iterative Sizing
Bid Reviews
Prototypes
BAFO
Documentation
Summary
Designing for
Performance, Scalability, and Resilience
Abstract
Initial Observations
Basic Design Principles
General Thoughts and Guidelines
Coding and Testing
Summary
Awareness of Queues
Abstract
Queues
Locks
Tackling Delays
Analytic and Simulation Modeling Tools
Alternative Approaches
Summary
Non-Functional
Acceptance
Abstract
The Issues
Stress Testing
Soak Testing
Operational-Readiness Testing
Summary
Post-Production
Abstract
Introduction
Classic Capacity Management
A Minimalist Approach to Capacity Management
Softer Issues
Abstract
Introduction
Devil's Advocate and Seductive Technology
Communication
Awareness of Cost
Awareness of Time
Over-Engineering
Smoke-Filled Rooms
Team Balance
Multi-Tasking
Client Responsibilities
Technical Postmortem
All-Rounders
So What?
"My Way"
Informed Approach
Part 2 - TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDATION
Introduction to
Technology Tasters
Operating Systems
CPU Basics
Memory
Hard Disk Basics
Server Infrastructure
Multiprocessors
(Shared Memory)
Hard Disk: Fibre
Channel, SAN and NAS
File Access Basics
Relational Database
Basics
Back-End Server
Clusters
Network Basics
Firewalls
Server Load Balancing
Web Server and Cache
Server
LDAP Server
Modern Server-Side
Development Technologies