Approximate analysis of reader/writer queues

We analyze the performance of queues that serve readers and writers. Readers are served concurrently, while writers require exclusive service. We approximately analyze a first-come-first-serve (FCFS) reader/writer queue, and derive simple formulae for computing waiting times and capacity under the assumption of Poisson arrivals and exponential service. We extend the analysis to handle a one writer queue, and a queue that includes write intention locks. The simple analyses that we present can be used as rules of thumb for designing concurrent systems