Computer Networks and Systems: Queueing Theory and Performance Evaluation

This self-contained text, intended for a first course in performance evaluation, covers all aspects of queueing theory. It starts by introducing readers to the terminol- ogy and usefulness of queueing theory. Chapter two then covers Markovian queues in equilibrium, Little's Law, reversibility, transient analysis and computation and the M/G/I queueing system. Chapter three begins with coverage of the product form solution for networks of queues. A new and easy-to-understand algebraic topological explanation of its existence is presented. The chapter concludes with three case studies of distributed queueing networks arising in industrial applications. Chapter four explains numerical solution techniques such as the convolution algorithm and mean value analysis along with complete worked out examples. The Panacea technique, discrete time queueing systems and simulation are also discussed. The last chapter describes the new area of stochastic Petri networks. An appendix reviews probability theory and an annotated set of references is provided. The manuscript contains useful exercises at the end of each chapter, and the solution manual is available from the author upon request.