A discrete time analysis of the DQDB access protocol with general input traffic

The authors present an approximate performance study of the DQDB (distributed queue dual bus) medium access protocol, which is an emerging IEEE 802.6 standard for local and metropolitan area networks. They investigate the influence of general traffic process characteristics on the protocol performance. Due to the consideration of general arrival and service processes, the analysis is derived in the discrete-time domain. The algorithm is based on a decomposition approach of the medium access delay, using the technique of embedded G/G/1 models. Using the analysis method, the whole distribution of delays such as medium access delay and other system characteristics can be properly calculated. Validations with simulation results show that the approximation technique developed is appropriate for a wide range of protocol parameters