HTTP simulator validation using real measurements: a case study

Abstract

Simulation is a common technique used by Web researchers and provides many benefits. Verification and validation of a simulator are essential if the results of those simulations are to be believed. Unfortunately, even limited validation of simulators has been uncommon in the Web caching community. In contrast, this paper argues for the validity of a new network and caching simulator by extensively comparing simulated results to both small- and large-scale realworld HTTP traffic. In addition, we describe some of the preparation needed to use a large, well-known trace of Web usage.