Optimal allocation of file servers in a local network environment

A globally optimal allocation for files in a local network environment is presented. The principal concern is the delays due to contention at the file servers; storage space is assumed to be adequate. A queuing network model is used to represent the file servers and the workstations. The workloads generated by the workstations are statistically identical. The model assumes that the communications medium is lightly loaded. In this case there is very little queuing, so that a message transmission requires an approximately constant average delay which can be included in the local processing time of the workstation. Under these assumptions the model can be applied to any of the various LAN technologies. It is shown that all the files of each workstation should be placed on one file server, with the workstations divided as equally as possible among the file servers.