Stochastic System Simulation
SE 405
Lab manual
PART A- WORKING WITH AWESIM 2.0
The following is the Main menu of the Awesim 2.0 package. This is also the screen for
the projects.
Select the File button to view its option and select New option to create a new Project.
Else select Open option to open an existing project. Once you have given a name to your
project the gray shade in all the options of the screen will be accessible.
The two major components that are required by Awesim are the Network and the
Control. Both can be seen on the screen above. Select the Networks button to create a
new Network. This option will open the following window.
Write the name of the network in the Select Network option and click New if you are
creating a new network. If you have some old networks already the list will be displayed
in the Available Networks option. Therefore, if you like to open an existing options select
the network from the Available network and press Open button.
A new screen for the building the network is opened as follows.
We can see another small window within the window for building the Network. This
window has the list of all the nodes available in the Awesim 2.0 in alphabetical order. We
select the node as required. For example if we need to select a CREATE node we scroll
down the options and select the CREATE node. The selection will now clear this window
and requests the user to select a position on the network builder to place it. Once a
position is clicked on the screen the corresponding window as per the node selected is
displayed. As per our example the following window is opened for the CREATE node.
Fill all the details required by this menu and press OK to paste on the Network screen.
The CREATE node details are filled and the network screen looks like the following.
In this manner all the necessary nodes are selected and place on the network screen. Once
you are finished with placing all the networks on the screen press the Cancel button to
clear the node selection window. The following screen shows a small network where few
networks are connected to each other.
Its now time to save the network we have just developed. Select the file menu and select
the save option within this menu. This will ask for the file name and once provided with
the file name the Network screen title bar changes from Network Builder – (untitled) to
Network Builder – (File name), For our example as Network Builder – LAB1. The
following screen shows the change from the previous screen.
This confirms that the network is saved. From the File menu now select Exit to close this
screen. Now go to the main menu of Awesim and then select the Networks option again.
This time the screen looks like the following.
Now we have the network LAB1 in the Available Networks option. Select that file and
press Add button to make it appear in the Current Networks. Select OK to close the
window.
The main menu now has LAB1 under the Networks button as we have just added the
networks created into the Current Networks option. The main menu should look like the
following.
Now we will consider the Control option. Select the Control option form the main screen
of Awesim. The following window will be displayed.
As we had done for the Network option select the New button if a new control file is to
be generated or Open form the available networks. Now let us create a new control file
with name Lab1 (The name can be different form that of the Network File name). The
following screen for the Control Builder opens with the Screen title bar as Control
Builder – (untitled). Each of the statements listed requires certain input from the user
except for the NET; and the FIN; options. For example if we double click the GEN;
statement the following screen is displayed.
The required details are to be filled by the user. The instructor in the Laboratory will
discuss the details of each of the Control Statements. After the above details are typed
press OK. Now from the File menu of the Control Builder select the save option to save
the Control file created. It will ask for the file name and once given the title bar of the
Control builder will now read Control Builder – LAB1 as shown in the following screen.
We can now close this screen by selecting Exit from the file menu of the Control Builder.
As we had added the Network file after creating and saving it into the main screen of
Awesim, we also need to make the Control file we created appear as well. Go back to the
main screen of Awesim and select the Control option. Now as we have already created a
control file the window appears with the file name in the Available Control(s) option as
shown.
Now select the file from the Available Control(s) option and then press the SetCurrent
button first and then OK, to make the Control file created appear on the main screen of
the Awesim 2.0.
Now the main screen will appear as shown below with both the Network and the Control
Files (both named LAB1 in our case).
Now as we have provided AWESIM with the basic required files (Network and Control)
we can run the model we have just developed. To run the model and generate report we
now select the Report option. Under the report menu we select the Output.. option. This
will display a small window, which appears as follows.
Now we select the Summary button to obtain the report for the model report. If there
were any errors found there will be no report generated. Rather the user will be provided
with the statements pointing out the type of errors found. The errors will be displayed
either occurred in the Echo report or the Intermediate report. To read the error we have to
select again the Report option and then select either the Echo or the Intermediate button
accordingly.
If errors were found in either of the files please contact the Lab instructor and he will
guide you in debugging the errors.
If no errors were found the Awesim will generate a report for the model. The report will
appear as follows for the example developed.
** AweSim SUMMARY REPORT **
Fri Sep 14 20:57:19 2001
Simulation Project : Single Server
Modeler : Lab1
Date : 15/09/2001.
Scenario : BASECASE
Run number 1 of 1
Current simulation time : 198.000000
Statistics cleared at time : 0.000000
** FILE STATISTICS REPORT for scenario BASECASE **
File
Label or
Average Standard Maximum Current Average
Number Input Location Length Deviation Length Length Wait Time
1 QUEUE QUEUE
0.000
0.000
0 Event Calendar
2.000
0.000
2
1
0
1
0.000
3.882
** SERVICE ACTIVITY STATISTICS REPORT for scenario BASECASE **
Activity Label or
Server Entity Average Standard
Number Input Location Capacity Count Utilization Deviation
0 Line 4
1
0
0.000
0.000
Activity Current Average Maximum Maximum
Number Utilization Blockage Idle Time Busy Time
or Servers or Servers
0
0
0.000
2.000
0.000
Part B of this manual will provide with all the functions of all the main menus and the
sub
menus
available
in
Awesim.
PART B – Functions of Menu Items
PROJECT MENU
Commands
File Menu
Build Menu
Simulate Menu
Animate Menu
Report Menu
Graph Menu
Options Menu
Utilities Menu
Help Menu
FILE opens and saves project files.
Help is available for the File Menu options:
File New
File Open
File Save
File Save As
File Exit
File About
The FILE NEW option initializes a new project under the name specified.
The FILE SAVE option preserves the current project under the name it was opened with.
The FILE SAVE AS option preserves the current project under the new name specified.
The FILE EXIT option leaves the AweSim! Executive Window and returns to the MSDOS Executive Window.
The FILE ABOUT option provides information regarding the AweSim! version installed.
Build Menu Help
BUILD allows model components and scenarios to be constructed and modified. This
option also may be used to specify which model components are currently selected for
model execution and output analysis.
Help is available for the Build Menu options:
Build Network
Build Control
Build User Insert
Build Note
Build Animation
Build User Data
The BUILD NETWORK option is used to construct graphical networks with AweSim
symbols. The dialog box which appears when this option is selected contains a number
of choices. The ADD and REMOVE command buttons which appear in the dialog box
when this option is selected are used to define the networks which are currently active
when saving scenarios and creating customized executables. A network is added to the
current list by selecting it from the available list and clicking on ADD. A network is
removed from the current list by selecting it from the current list and clicking on
REMOVE. NEW allows a network to be created from scratch. A network which already
exists may be edited with OPEN.
The BUILD CONTROL option is used to create the AweSim control statements that
define the experimental conditions under which a run is made. A new control may be
constructed from scratch if NEW is selected from the dialog box. OPEN allows a control
set to be edited. The SET CURRENT option is available for defining the current control
to be used when saving scenarios and translating and executing simulation models.
The BUILD USER INSERT option is used to create user-written C functions with
AweSim!'s text editor. The ADD and REMOVE command buttons which appear in the
dialog box when this option is selected are used to define the user inserts which are
currently active when saving scenarios and creating customized executables. A user
insert is added to the current list by selecting it from the available list and clicking on
ADD. A user insert is removed from the current list by selecting it from the current list
and clicking on REMOVE.
The BUILD NOTE option allows notes to be created with AweSim!'s text editor. Notes
are written to document significant aspects about a particular model scenario.
The BUILD ANIMATION option is used to create animations with AweSim!'s animation
builder. The ADD and REMOVE command buttons which appear in the dialog box
when this option is selected are used to define the animations which are currently active
when saving scenarios. An animation is added to the current list by selecting it from the
available list and clicking on ADD. An animation is removed from the current list by
selecting it from the current list and clicking on REMOVE.
The BUILD USER DATA option allows data files to be created with AweSim!'s text
editor. Data files may be read from user-written subroutines and used as a source of
model input.
Simulate Menu Help
SIMULATE is used to translate and execute models and to create customized
executables.
Help exists for the Simulate Menu Options:
Simulate Run
Simulate Translate
Simulate Compile
Simulate Link
RUN executes a simulation of the current scenario. Before selecting RUN, the current
network(s), control, and animation(s) should be translated with the SIMULATE
TRANSLATE command and all user inserts presently selected should be compiled and
linked with the SIMULATE COMPILE and SIMULATE LINK commands. The
OPTIONS SIMULATE command is used to indicate whether a concurrent animation will
be performed or a capture file will be used to collect animation data for future replay.
TRANSLATE converts the network(s), control, and animation(s) displayed in the
Current Scenario Box into the form required for analysis by the AweSim processor.
Graphical networks are transformed first into statement form. If errors are detected
during translation, a message appears instructing the user to check the echo report. This
may be done by executing the REPORT OUTPUT ECHO command.
COMPILE uses the options selected with the OPTIONS COMPILE command to compile
the user inserts displayed in the Current Scenario Box.
LINK creates an executable by combining the user inserts displayed in the Current
Scenario Box with AweSim. These user inserts should have been compiled previously
with the SIMULATE COMPILE command. The executable created is stored under the
current scenario name.
Animate Menu Help
ANIMATE replays animations.
Help is available for the Animate Menu Options:
Animate Run
The ANIMATE RUN option allows an animation to be replayed with animation data
which was written to a capture file during a simulation run which was executed
previously.
Report Menu Help
REPORT generates text reports of simulation output and model components.
Help is available for the Report Menu Options:
Report Network
Report Control
Report User Insert
Report Note
Report Animation
Report User Data
Report Output
The REPORT NETWORK option is used to view AweSim networks in textual format
with AweSim!'s text browser.
The REPORT CONTROL option is used to view an AweSim control with AweSim!'s
text browser.
The REPORT USER INSERT option is used to view user-written C functions with
AweSim!'s text browser.
The REPORT NOTE option is used to view notes with AweSim!'s text browser.
The REPORT ANIMATION option is used to view scripts with AweSim!'s text browser.
The REPORT USER DATA option is used to view data files with AweSim!'s text
browser.
The REPORT OUTPUT option is used to view output from the current scenario with
AweSim!'s text browser. Three types of output reports are possible. ECHO displays the
network and control statements and messages about any errors which may have occurred
during translation. It also provides a summary of the simulation model as interpreted by
the AweSim processor. INTERMEDIATE contains output generated during the
simulation run and may include an AweSim trace, user-written output, and any run-time
error messages. SUMMARY displays the AweSim summary report along with optional
tables and plots.
Graph Menu Help
GRAPH displays networks in graphical form and shows output in bar charts, histograms,
pie charts, and plots.
Help is available for the Graph Menu Options:
Graph Output
The GRAPH OUTPUT option displays output for the current scenario in the form of bar
charts, histograms, pie charts, and plots. Histograms and pie charts may be generated
from the histogram information collected as requested on COLCT nodes and TIMST
statements.
Plots may be shown for information collected with RECORD and VAR
statements. Bar charts allow the viewing of values selected from the summary report.
One statistic (such as resource utilization) may be displayed for multiple scenarios, or
multiple statistics may be shown on the same bar chart for one scenario.
Options Menu Help
OPTIONS is used to set model building, compilation, and execution options.
Help is available for the Options Menu Options:
Options AweSim!
Options Graphs
Options Runs
Options Simulate
Options Compile
The OPTIONS AweSim! option allows two parameters to be set. The sound check box
indicates whether AweSim! errors are accompanied with a beep.
The OPTIONS GRAPHS item is used to set the graph drawing options used when
creating the output graphs. Once an output graph has been created, it can be redrawn
using different options selected from the OPTIONS main menu bar item located on the
output graph window. The 3 Dimensional check box indicates whether to display graphs
in three-dimensional view. The default is two-dimensional view. The X Grid check box
indicates whether to display grid lines for all X-axis tick marks. The Y Grid check box
indicates whether to display grid lines for all Y-axis tick marks. The Data Points check
box indicates whether to display data points on plots. The Graphic Frame check box
indicates whether to display a frame around the graph only. The Frame check box
indicates whether to display a frame around the window. The Discrete check box
indicates whether to display plots in discrete or continuous view. The default is is
continuous view. The Horizontal Scroll field is used to specify what percentage of the
entire graph should be displayed within a single graph window. Cuts graph into multiple
window-sized pages to facilitate viewing of large graphs. The Scroll Size allows the user
to enter a scroll size less than 100% to enable multi-page, scrollable graphs and view
graphs in greater detail.
The OPTIONS RUNS option is used to specify the desired output runs to be displayed in
summary reports and graphs. The Graphs current run entry field is used to specify the
output run for which graphs will be displayed. The ADD and REMOVE command
buttons which appear in the dialog box when this option is selected are used to define the
output runs to be displayed in the summary report. A run is added to the current list by
selecting it from the available list and clicking on ADD. A run is removed from the
current list by selecting it from the current list and clicking on REMOVE.
The OPTIONS SIMULATE item is used to request animation options (concurrent, postprocessing), Interactive Execution Environment, or neither.
The OPTIONS COMPILE option sets compilation and linking options to be used when
creating executables from user-written inserts.
Detailed information about each of
these choices may be found in your C Compiler User's Guide.
The radio buttons in the Optimization group box tell the C compiler what kind of
optimization to perform, if any.
The check boxes in the Compiler & Linker Output group box tell whether or not the
compiler produces a source listing and/or the linker produces a link map. Check the
SOURCE LISTING item before compiling your usercode to produce an echo of your C
code with an error message listing (filename.LST). Check LINK MAP before linking to
create a link map file with global varible size, etc (filename.MAP).
A box is include for specifing extra compiler specific link options.
The INCLUDE PATH check box indicates that the subdirectory specified in the
INCLUDE PATH entry field will be searched for include files in your C code. This
path location will be searched after the current project directory and before the
INCLUDE path specified in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Selecting the DEBUG check
box compiles and links user inserts for use with the compiler's debugger.
A box is include for specifing extra compiler specific compile options.
Utilities Menu Help
UTILITIES lists model components for the current project and allows them to be deleted
and renamed. This option also permits model components from other project files to be
imported into the current project.
Help exists for the Utilities Menu Options:
Utilities List
Utilities Copy
Utilities Import
Utilities Export
Utilities Rename
Utilities Delete
The UTILITIES LIST option displays all available scenarios and model components for
the current project by component type.
The UTILITIES COPY option allows a scenario or model component to be copied from
another project into the current project.
The UTILITIES IMPORT option allows a scenario or model component to be imported
from an EXPORTed file or a previous version into the current project.
The UTILITIES EXPORT option allows a scenario or model component to be exported
from the current project into a file for printing or storage.
The UTILITIES RENAME option allows a scenario or model component to be renamed.
After indicating the type of component to be renamed, a list box displays all names for
the current component type chosen. One of these existing components is selected and its
new name entered into the text box.
The UTILITIES DELETE option allows a scenario, model component, or output to be
deleted. After indicating the type of component to be deleted, a list box displays all
names for the current component type chosen. One of these existing components is
selected before clicking the delete command button.
Help Menu Help
HELP provides information about the AweSim! main menu bar items and their associated
pull-down menu options.
NETWORK BUILDER HELP
File Menu Help
FILE allows network files to be opened, saved, and printed.
Options
New
Open
Save
Save As
Print
Exit
About
The FILE NEW option allows a new network to be constructed from scratch.
The FILE OPEN option allows modification of the network stored under the name
indicated.
The FILE SAVE option preserves the current network under the name it was opened
with.
The FILE SAVE AS option preserves the current network under the new name specified.
The FILE PRINT option allows the network to be printed out.
The FILE EXIT option leaves the Network Builder and returns to the AweSim executive
window.
The FILE ABOUT option provides information regarding the Network Builder version
installed.
Edit Menu Help
EDIT allows new nodes to be added to a network, and existing nodes to be copied,
removed, and selected.
Options
Undo
Insert
Change
Cut
Copy
Paste
Clear
Select All
The EDIT UNDO option removes the effects of the latest cut, copy, paste, clear, or undo
operation.
The ADD option inserts a AweSim network node into the network at the selected
location. The node to insert is selected from the list of valid AweSim network nodes
which appears when EDIT ADD is invoked.
Nodes
ACCUMULATE
ACTIVITY
ALTER
ASSIGN
AWAIT
BATCH
CALLVSN
CLOSE
COLCT
CONNECTOR
CREATE
DETECT
ENTER
EVENT
FINDAR
FREE
GATE
GOON
GROUP
MATCH
OPEN
PREEMPT
QUEUE
READ
RESOURCE
SELECT
TERMINATE
TEXT
UNBATCH
WRITE
View Menu Help
VIEW is used to either view the network statements, or change the zoom factor of the
network nodes.
Options
View Statements
View Zoom In
View Zoom Out
Options Menu Help
The OPTIONS menu is used to set options for display and defaults within the Network
Builder.
Options
Option Grid
Option Page Breaks
Option AutoDefault
Option AutoLayout
Option Colors
AweSim Expressions Help
Expressions are made up of parenthesis, operators, intrinsic functions, global functions,
random functions, writeable global variables, read-only global variables, and entity
variables
There are 5 basic types of expressions allowed in AweSim.
Expression
Any combination.
Example: 20.0 * XX[(1+LL[2])] * EXPON(ATRIB[1])
Expression
Any combination.
Example: 20.0 * XX[(1+LL[2])] * EXPON(ATRIB[1])
Global Expression
Any combination except entity variables
Example: 20.0 * XX[(1+LL[2])]
Constant Expression
May not use any global functions or variables.
Example: 1 + (37 % 3)
Left-hand-side Expression
Must be a writeable global variable or entity variable. Expressions in the
subscript may be any Expression.
Example: ATRIB[(1+LL[2]+LTRIB[3])]
Global Left-hand-side Expression
Must be a writeable global variable. Expressions in the subscript may be any
Global Expression.
Example: XX[(1+LL[2])]
Network Nodes Help
Nodes
ACCUMULATE
ACTIVITY
ALTER
ASSIGN
AWAIT
BATCH
CALLVSN
CLOSE
COLCT
CONNECTOR
CREATE
DETECT
ENTER
EVENT
FINDAR
FREE
GATE
GOON
GROUP
MATCH
OPEN
PREEMPT
QUEUE
READ
RESOURCE
SELECT
TERMINATE
TEXT
UNBATCH
WRITE
Sub Network Builder Help Index
Commands
File Menu
Edit Menu
Search Menu
View Menu
Options Menu
Glossary
Expressions
Network Nodes
Control Statements
Same as Network Builder Commands.
Control Builder Help Index
Commands
File Menu
Edit Menu
Search Menu
Glossary
Expressions
Control Statements
File Menu Help
FILE allows control files to be opened, saved, and printed.
Options
New
Open
Save
Save As
Print
Exit
About
Edit Menu Help
EDIT allows new statements to be added to a control list, and existing statements to be
copied and removed. This menu item does not permit a statement to be modified. That
may be accomplished by double clicking on the statement to be changed and altering the
field values on the form which appears.
Options
Undo
Insert
Cut
Copy
Paste
Clear
Search Menu Help
SEARCH locates strings of text in script sets.
Options
Find
Find Next
AweSim Expressions Help
Expressions are made up of parenthesis, operators, intrinsic functions, global functions,
random functions, writeable global variables, read-only global variables, and entity
variables
There are 5 basic types of expressions allowed in AweSim.
Expression
Any combination.
Example: 20.0 * XX[(1+LL[2])] * EXPON(ATRIB[1])
Expression
Any combination.
Example: 20.0 * XX[(1+LL[2])] * EXPON(ATRIB[1])
Global Expression
Any combination except entity variables
Example: 20.0 * XX[(1+LL[2])]
Constant Expression
May not use any global functions or variables.
Example: 1 + (37 % 3)
Left-hand-side Expression
Must be a writeable global variable or entity variable. Expressions in the
subscript may be any Expression.
Example: ATRIB[(1+LL[2]+LTRIB[3])]
Global Left-hand-side Expression
Must be a writeable global variable. Expressions in the subscript may be any
Global Expression.
Example: XX[(1+LL[2])]
Control Statements Help
Statements
ARRAY
COMMENT
CONTINUOUS
DOCOLCT
ENTRY
EQUIVALENCE
FIN
GEN
INITIALIZE
INTLC
User Insert Editor Help Index
Commands
File Menu
Edit Menu
Search Menu
Function Groups
User Written
User Callable
LIMITS
MONTR
NETWORK
PRIORITY
RECORD
REPORT
SEEDS
SEVNT
SIMULATE
TIMST
File Menu Help
FILE allows text files to be printed, the browser to be exited, and information about the
version of the User Insert Editor installed to be obtained.
Help is available for the File Menu Options:
File New
File Open
File Save
File Save As
File Print
File Exit
File About
Edit Menu Help
EDIT allows text to be:
-moved from a file onto the clipboard,
-copied from a file onto the clipboard, or
-pasted into a file from the clipboard.
Help is available for the Edit Menu Options:
Edit Undo
Edit Cut
Edit Copy
Edit Paste
Edit Clear
Search Menu Help
SEARCH locates a string of text in the file being edited.
Help is available for the Search Menu Options:
Search Find
Search Find Next
Search Find Line
User Writeable Routines Help
AweSim provides user-programmed interfaces to allow modeling using alternative and
combined constructs. These interfaces are used to perform non-standard network
processing, specialized output reporting, continuous variable definition, and discrete
event scheduling. A dummy version of each of these functions is provided in the
AweSim library, which allows the user to omit any of them from a model without
encountering undefined external references.
Routines
ALLOC
ASSEMBLE
BATCHSAVE
EVENT
INTLC
NQS
NRS
NSS
ORDER
OTPUT
RAWEND
RAWOPEN
RAWSAVE
STATE
STATLOAD
STATSAVE
UERR
UMONT
USERF
UUPATH
UUPNT
User Callable Routines Help
AweSim includes many support functions to provide information on system status, to
allow the modeler to change that status, and to support user-written reports.
The functions described here may be called from any of the user-written interface points.
Routines Types
Random Sampling Functions
Statistical Functions
File Manipulations
Network Status Subprograms
Simulation Status
Output Reports
Auxiliary Attributes
Table Data
Entity Status Functions
Memory Allocation Functions