B-ISDN implementation via satellite: the CATALYST project

Presents a simple analysis for the transmission delay across the CATALYST demonstrator network, a RACE II project that is intended to demonstrate the applicability of satellite technology for the provision of B-ISDN services. The analysis is based upon a mathematical model and a computer simulation model and describes the end-system to end-system transfer delay depending on message length. The protocol profiles assume a mix of Novell NetWare and Network File System client/server architectures on separate IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) LANs which are interconnected through ATM/satellite interface units. Areas for further investigation and the implications of the findings on the actual network architecture are discussed