The system under test is configured to perform the functions of both the database and application server as is typical in a small business environment. The D-ISAM package is installed for indexed access file support and Apache2 is configured to provide a user interface and accept the data elements from the simulated users. Binary executable ".cgi" programs run on the server to process the data and display back forms for further user input.

The test application was developed to simulate a two-part transaction consistent with the type of computer processing needed for a credit card purchase of gasoline. In the first step the credit card is processed for authorization and then a second step posts the number of gallons purchased and the dollar amount of the purchase.

The database used by this test consists of two indexed sequential access method files and one sequential log file. The two indexed files are a "credit card" file and a "gas station" file. The sequential file is a transaction log of every event that happens during a test run.

In each test, a series of nine user levels is processed and the number of transactions per minute is captured for each user level. Finally, the data is analyzed to determine the peak transactions per minute and then the total cost of the system is divided by this number to calculate the cost per transaction per minute.

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