Scheduling variable-length messages on slotted, high-speed fiber optic LANs/MANs using the continuation-bit approach

A strategy, called the continuation-bit approach, for scheduling the transmission of variable-length (multi-packet) messages on slotted high-speed LAN/MAN (local/metropolitan area networks) is studied. Its overhead is analyzed and compared with that of a conventional slotted system. Then, the authors apply this approach to the p_i -persistent protocol, which is an efficient unity-capacity protocol proposed for high-speed LAN/MAN. Specifically, approximate analytical models for light and for heavy traffic loads are formulated, and from these models the proper network operating parameters p _i are determined. The authors consider several examples to study the characteristics of the continuation-bit approach, and verify the accuracy of the approximations via simulation