Load / Systems Loading

The 'load' on a system refers to the demands placed upon it. The overall load combines many factors and includes :-

• Total storage capacity for programs and data
• Number of applications being run concurrently
• Number of concurrent users, peaks, troughs and average
• Number of peripherals: e.g. using a file server as a print server increases demand, as each printed document is 'spooled' to the server's disk before being queued to the printer.

Whilst the sizing of hardware can become complex, once the above points are clear, other factors, such as expected response times / performance can be considered.