Interaction Between Protocol Levels in a Prioritized CSMA Broadcast Network

摘要

Discrete event simulation studies of the Hyperchannel product of the Network Systems Corporation demonstrate surprising performance variations resulting from rather subtle protocol, timing, and topology changes. Early analytic and simulation studies showed the effectiveness of the lowest-level Hyperchannel contention mechanisms. Later simulations, including the next level of microcoded error and flow control protocols, showed that great care must be taken to maintain high trunk utilization through both protocol levels. Examples of performance degradation arising from interaction between the two protocol levels illustrate the type of information that can be obtained from simulation analysis of communication systems too complex for current state-of-the-art mathematical models. 20 figures. (ERA citation 03:055743)