Workshop on Process Algebra and Stochastically Timed
Activities (PASTA)
e-Science Institute 12th June 2003
The topic of the PASTA workshop is modelling the performance of distributed
computer systems such as Grids with stochastic process algebras (primarily
Jane Hillston's PEPA, see http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/pepa). Stochastic process
algebras are high-level concurrent modelling languages for describing systems
which perform timed activities. Recent technological advances in the analysis
tools for these models mean that they can now be used to analyse more complex
properties of more complex and expressive performance models. This now
includes properties of interest to the end-users of Grids such as service-level
agreements and passage time computations in addition to simpler measures
such as the throughput, utilisation and performability calculations which are
essential for effective capacity planning for Grids.
The workshop this year provided an opportunity to bring together researchers
from centres of excellence in e-Science---Edinburgh, London, Durham/Newcastle
and Cardiff---to learn about these recent advances and tools, to share
experiences, and to work together to bring about new breakthroughs. The
workshop provided a highly effective venue for exchange of ideas, technology
transfer and igniting new research possibilities.
Stephen Gilmore
Informatics,
University of Edinburgh