Performance guarantees in communication networks (Q4936327)

Performance is one of the key factors that influences the design, development, configuration and tuning of computer and communication systems. The author introduces the theoretical development in the last decade for performance guarantees in telecommunication networks. This volume presents a comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of the recent developments in performance guarantees for telecommunication networks. The book consist of two parts. The first part deals with deterministic (hard) guarantees, where the author shows how deterministic bounds for delay and queue length can be achieved. The second part addresses stochastic (soft) guarantees, focusing mainly on tail distributions of queue lengths and packet loss probabilities. For the deterministic theory he introduces a new traffic characterization by \textit{Rene Cruz} [IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory 37, 114-131, 132-141 (1991; Zbl 0712.94028)] and the associated calculus for multiplexing, work conserving links, output characterization and routing. This concept is generalised and explained systematically by a filtering theory under the min-plus algebra. The stochastic theory introduces the effective bandwidth function for traffic characterization. Its associated calculus is then built upon the mathematical theory of the large deviation principle. The first six chapters deal with deterministic guarantees. Chapter 1 deals with the \((\sigma,\rho)\)-traffic characterization and its associated calculus. Chapter 2 develops the filtering theory under the \((\min,+)\) algebra, where one replaces the usual addition by the min operator and the usual multiplication by the addition operator. Chapter 3 addresses the parameterization problem for the constraint functions needed for deterministic traffic regulation and service guarantees. Chapter 4 extends the filtering theory to the matrix setting so that systems with multiple inputs and multiple outputs (MIMO) can be analyzed. Chapter 5 solves the problem of constrained traffic regulation and develops a calculus for dynamic service guarantees. Chapter 6 introduces a direct treatment for providing deterministic quality-of-service guarantees in networks with variable length packets. The last three chapters discuss stochastic service guarantees and theory of effective bandwidth based on the author's work [IEEE Trans. Autom. Control 39, 913-931 (1994; Zbl 0818.90050)]. Chapter 7 discusses stochastic ordering of random variables and exponential upper and lower bounds. Chapter 8 introduces the large deviation principle and the last chapter obtains the lower bounds for bandwidth via the large deviation principle. The treatment is not only more appropriate for understanding, but even more effective. The work provides an easily accessible, but concise introduction to the subject. The book also covers a broad spectrum of interesting problems. Both graduate students and professionals will find the book an understandable, absorbing and penetrating treatment of a beautiful theory.