Efficiently simulating discrete-event models in a parallel and distributed manner is a challenging endeavour. On one hand, various factors, such as hardware infrastructure or model characteristics, have to be considered. On the other hand, there is a wide variety of algorithms which address subproblems of parallel and distributed simulation and whose performance depends on the application at hand. We illustrate the resulting difficulties with respect to the development of parallel and distributed simulation systems and argue that the simulation of distributed simulation systems is a feasible approach to alleviate them. To underpin this, we introduce SIMSIM, a sequential simulator for parallel and distributed simulation systems. SIMSIM?s pertinency is illustrated by the development of a load balancing algorithm for PDEVS. The algorithm?s performance is analysed using SIMSIM and the predicted performance is compared to the performance of its implementation in the simulation system JAMES II.