Addresses the major issues involved in computer design and architectures. Dealing primarily with theory, tools, and techniques as related to advanced computer systems, it provides tutorials and surveys and relates new important research results. Each chapter provides background information, describes and analyzes important work done in the field, and provides important direction to the reader on future work and further readings. The topics covered include hierarchical design schemes, parallel and distributed modeling and simulation, parallel simulation tools and techniques, theoretical models for formal and performance modeling, and performance evaluation techniques.