Sample-Path Analysis of Queueing Systems uses a deterministic (sample-path) approach to analyze stochastic systems, primarily queueing systems and more general input-output systems. Among other topics of interest it deals with establishing fundamental relations between asymptotic frequencies and averages, pathwise stability, and insensitivity. These results are utilized to establish useful performance measures. The intuitive deterministic approach of this book will give researchers, teachers, practitioners, and students better insights into many results in queueing theory. The simplicity and intuitive appeal of the arguments will make these results more accessible, with no sacrifice of mathematical rigor. Recent topics such as pathwise stability are also covered in this context. The book consistently takes the point of view of focusing on one sample path of a stochastic process. Hence, it is devoted to providing pure sample-path arguments. With this approach it is possible to separate the issue of the validity of a relationship from issues of existence of limits and/or construction of stationary framework. Generally, in many cases of interest in queueing theory, relations hold, assuming limits exist, and the proofs are elementary and intuitive. In other cases, proofs of the existence of limits will require the heavy machinery of stochastic processes. The authors feel that sample-path analysis can be best used to provide general results that are independent of stochastic assumptions, complemented by use of probabilistic arguments to carry out a more detailed analysis. This book focuses on the first part of the picture. It does however, provide numerous examples that invoke stochastic assumptions, which typically are presented at the ends of the chapters.

Queueing network models have been widely applied as a powerful tool for modelling, performance evaluation, and prediction of discrete flow systems, such as computer systems, communication networks, production lines, and manufacturing systems. Queueing network models with finite capacity queues and blocking have been introduced and applied as even more realistic models of systems with finite capacity resources and with population constraints. In recent years, research in this field has grown rapidly. Analysis of Queueing Networks with Blocking introduces queueing network models with finite capacity and various types of blocking mechanisms. It gives a comprehensive definition of the analytical model underlying these blocking queueing networks. It surveys exact and approximate analytical solution methods and algorithms and their relevant properties. It also presents various application examples of queueing networks to model computer systems and communication networks. This book is organized in three parts. Part I introduces queueing networks with blocking and various application examples. Part II deals with exact and approximate analysis of queueing networks with blocking and the condition under which the various techniques can be applied. Part III presents a review of various properties of networks with blocking, describing several equivalence properties both between networks with and without blocking and between different blocking types. Approximate solution methods for the buffer allocation problem are presented.

Covering deterministic scheduling, stochastic scheduling, and the probabilistic analysis of algorithms, this unusually broad view of the subject brings together tutorials, surveys and articles with original results from foremost international experts. The contributions reflect the great diversity in scheduling theory in terms of academic disciplines, applications areas, fundamental approaches and mathematical skills. This book will help researchers to be aware of the progress in the various areas of specialization and the possible influences that this progress may have on their own specialities. Few disciplines are driven so much by continually changing and expanding technology, a fact that gives scheduling a permanence while adding to the excitement of designing and analyzing new systems. The book will be a vital resource for researchers and graduate students of computer science, applied mathematics and operational research who wish to remain up-to-date on the scheduling models and problems of many of the newest technologies in industry, commerce, and the computer and communications sciences.

This volume provides a general overview on the state-of-the-art and future developments in automation and control. The application of systems and control in all areas is covered, from the social and cultural effects of control, to control in mineral and metal processing. This volume will be an invaluable source of information to all those interested in the areas of automation and control.

Throughout successive generations of information technology, the importance of the performance evaluation of software, computer architectures, and computer networks endures. For example, the performance issues of transaction processing systems and redundant arrays of independent disks replace the virtual memory and input-output problems of the 70s. ATM performance issues supercede those associated with electronic telephony of the 70s. As performance issues evolve with the technologies, so must our approach to evaluation. In System Performance Evaluation: Methodologies and Applications, top academic and industrial experts review the major issues now faced in this arena. In a series of structured, focused chapters, they present the state-of-the-art in performance methodologies and applications. They address developments in analytical modeling and its interaction with detailed analysis of measurement data. They also discuss performance evaluation methodologies for large-scale software systems - in general and in the context of critical applications, such as nuclear reactor control and air transportation systems. With its particular emphasis on network performance for wireless networks, the Internet, and ATM networking, System Performance Evaluation becomes the ideal vehicle for professionals in computer architecture, networking, and software engineering to stay up-to-date and proficient in this essential aspect of information technology.