Performance models of local area networks

A hierarchical technique for the specification of performance models of communication systems is presented. The technique is based on hierarchies of communicating state programs, and offers advantages for both the specification and the performance investigation of local area network protocols. Three local area network protocols, the token ring, CSMA and register insertion ring are described using this specification technique. An approximate, analytic algorithm for predicting packet response times in token ring local area networks is next presented. The algorithm is demonstrated to be very accurate over a wide range of token ring parameter values. Some token ring local area network design objectives and options are next introduced. These objectives and options are then considered together with the results of an extensive performance study of token ring local area networks to produce a set of properties of token ring local area networks.