A metamodeling methodology involving both qualitative and quantitative input factors

This paper suggests a methodology for developing a simulation metamodel involving both quantitative and qualitative factors. The methodology mainly deals with various strategic issues involved in metamodel estimation, analysis, comparison and validation. To illustrate how to apply the methodology, a regression metamodel is developed for a client–server computer system. In particular, we studied how the response time is affected by the quantum interval, the buffer size, and the total number of terminals when different queuing disciplines are employed in the operation of the round-robin queue with a limited buffer. The results of the study indicate that the relationship between the response time and the quantitative factors cannot be adequately described by a single metamodel for all queuing disciplines.