Output process characterization for fast token ring networks supporting two priorities

A performance model for the fast token ring connected to an output link via a switching node is considered. For each station, traffic streams of two priority classes are supported. Poisson packet arrival process, Erlang-K packet length distribution and zero walk time are assumed. The output process of one fast token ring with a switching node is characterized by using a 3-phase Markov Modulated Erlang Process (MMEP). The numerical results indicate that the required output link capacity predicted by this approximated process can be much less than the estimation based on the Poisson Process assumption, provided that the congestion at the switching node is kept at the same level. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.