Traffic analysis of a local area network with a star topology

Two forms of fast circuit switching are modeled and studied through mathematical analysis and Monte Carlo simulation. The two examples described use the switching technique in an optical-fiber-based local area network with a star topology. The technique is compatible with time-division multiplexing techniques that are used for a range of traffic classes. Further, the technique trades transmission capacity for processing power, which is the critical limitation of the system. By means of a certain independence assumption, the first form of fast circuit switching is modeled as an M/G/1 queue. The results of the analysis show excellent agreement with simulation. The general result is that there is good system throughput, despite simplicity of processing. The second form, in which rather than first-come first-served the discipline is to search for a message whose destination queue is free, is studied by means of simulation alone. The results indicate an improved performance with a modest increase in processing power