• Scope and Topics
• Submissions
• Tool presentations
• Tutorials
• Deadlines
• Chairs and Committees

 

The International Conference on Quantitative Evaluation of SysTems (QEST) is the leading forum on evaluation and verification of computer systems and networks, through stochastic models and measurements. QEST combines four former events: PNPM (Workshop on Petri Nets and Performance Models), PAPM (Workshop on Process Algebra and Performance Modelling), PROBMIV (Workshop on Probabilistic Methods in Verification) and TOOLS (Conference on Modelling Techniques and Tools for Computer Performance Evaluation).

Performance metrics of interest include response time, reliability, availability, safety, security, survivability, correctness, timeliness, and efficiency. Areas of interest include modelling formalisms and methodologies, measurements, analytical and numerical evaluation, simulation and verification, and theory of probabilistic, concurrent, and non-deterministic behaviour. Also of interest are case studies showing the role of quantitative evaluation in the design of systems including computer architectures, distributed and fault-tolerant systems, communication systems, embedded systems, web-based systems, and safety-critical systems. Moreover, tools for supporting the practical application of research results in all of the above areas are of special interest for QEST, and therefore tool papers are sought. In short, QEST aims to create a sound methodological basis for assessing and designing trustworthy computing systems and networks.

Example topics of interest include modelling and performance evaluation techniques; verification of probabilistic systems; probabilistic decision-making and planning; concurrency theory for probabilistic systems; stochastic and timed Petri nets; stochastic and timed process algebras; stochastic and timed automata; queuing networks; Markov chains; non-Markovian models and algorithms; analysis of randomized algorithms; model-checking algorithms; hybrid and hierarchical modelling and evaluation techniques; numerical and analytical solution techniques; efficient simulation techniques; formal specification techniques; quantitative extensions of UML; measurement and benchmarking; optimization techniques; and schedulability analysis.

We invite submissions of original papers, in English, related to the topics of the conference and formatted in the IEEE double-column format. Electronic submission instructions may be found at www.qest.org. Submitted papers should not exceed 10 pages. Additional material for the aid of the reviewers (e.g., proofs) can be sent in a clearly marked appendix. Papers must be unpublished and must not be submitted for publication elsewhere. All papers will be thoroughly reviewed by at least 3 referees on the basis of originality, scientific and practical contributions to the state of the art. Accepted papers will appear in the Conference Proceedings published by the IEEE Computer Society Press, and must be presented at the conference by one of the authors. A best-paper award will be presented at the conference. Selected papers will appear in a special issue of a major journal (it was IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering for QEST’07). Submissions will be handled by the EasyChair system (go to EasyChair/QEST2008). Sessions will be arranged to present and demonstrate tools relevant to any conference topic. Tool submissions (2 pages, IEEE double-column format) should be sent to the Tools Chair. Accepted tool descriptions will appear in the conference proceedings. There will be one day of tutorials at the start of the conference, on Sunday 14th September. Tutorial proposals (up to 4 pages) should be sent to the Tutorial Chair.

• Abstract submission: 24 March, 2008 (DEADLINE EXTENDED!)
• Paper submission: 31 March, 2008 (DEADLINE EXTENDED!)
• Tool & Tutorial submission: 28 April, 2008 (DEADLINE EXTENDED!)
• Author notification: 26 May, 2008
• Camera ready version: 16 June, 2008

General Chair
- G. Rubino (FR)

Programme Co-chairs
- S. Donatelli (IT)
- P. Panangaden (CA)

Tools Chair
- M. M. Siegle (DE)

Tutorial Chair
- A. Jean-Marie (FR)

Local Organisation Chair
- B. Tuffin (FR)

Publicity Chair
- N. Pekergin (FR)

Steering Committee
- G. Balbo (IT)
- G. Ciardo (US)
- S. Donatelli (IT)
- B. Haverkort (NL)
- H. Hermanns (DE)
- J. Hillston (UK)
- P. Kemper (US)
- W. Knottenbelt (UK)
- M. Kwiatkowska (UK)
- W. Sanders (US, chair)
- E. Smirni (US)

Technical Programme Committee
- M. Ajmone Marsan (IT)
- C. Baier (DE)
- M. Bernardo (IT)
- P. Bouyer (FR)
- P. Buchholz (DE)
- T. Dayar (TR)
- L. d'Alfaro (US)
- R. de Nicola (IT)
- S. Donatelli (IT)
- J.-M. Fourneau (FR)
- R. German (DE)
- L. Golubchick (US)
- S. Haddad (FR)
- B. Haverkort (NL)
- J. Hillston (UK)
- M. Huth (UK)
- R. Jagadeesan (US)
- W. Knottenbelt (UK)
- A. McIver (AU)
- D. Menasce (US)
- A. Miner (US)
- D. Nicol (US)
- J. Ouaknine (UK)
- C. Palamidessi (FR)
- P. Panangaden (CA)
- D. Parker (UK)
- D. Petriu (CA)
- D. Precup (CA)
- R. Segala (IT)
- K. Sen (US)
- E. Smirni (US)
- J. Sproston (IT)
- M. Stoelinga (NL)
- M. Telek (HU)
- F. van Breugel (CA)
- B. van Houdt (BE)
- Ex-officio, W. Sanders (US)