Computer Networks and Systems

This text, intended for a first course in performance evaluation, is a self-contained treatment covering all aspects of queueing theory. It starts by introducing readers to the terminology and usefulness of queueing theory and continues by considering Markovian queues in equilibrium, Little's law, reversibility, transient analysis, and computation, and the M/G/1 queueing system. A subsequent chapter covers networks of queues including the presentation of a recent and clear topological explanation for the existence of the product form solution. The final chapters explain techniques for numerical solutions, such as the convolution algorithm and mean-value analysis; discuss the PANACEA technique, discrete time queueing systems and simulation; and describe the new area of stochastic Petri networks. Case studies of distributed queueing networks arising in industrial applications are included. An appendix reviews probability theory. The third edition includes a new chapter on self-similar traffic, many new problems, and solutions for many exercises.