End-To-End Performance Modeling of Local Area Networks

This paper presents a generic modeling framework for synthesizing existing modeling techniques into a hierarchical structure for representing the end-to-end path between subscriber devices on local area networks (LAN´s). The modeling framework is based on analytical queueing network models in a hierarchical decomposition along the layers of communications protocols in the LAN. The methodology can be used during the various phases of LAN system design as well as for capacity planning during the operational phase. The level of system detail that can be examined using the methdology ranges from the architectural level to the component level. A survey of existing LAN models is given and their applicability to the heirarchical framework is discussed. The methodology is described and a case study is presented.