A consistent diffusion approximation for finite-capacity multiserver queues

A diffusion approximation is developed for general multiserver queues with finite waiting spaces, which are typical models of manufacturing systems as well as computer and communication systems. The model is the standard GI/G/s/s + r queue with s identical servers in parallel, r extra waiting spaces, and the first-come, first-served discipline. The main focus is on the steady-state distribution of the number of customers in the system. The process of the number of customers is approximated by a time-homogeneous diffusion process on a closed interval in the nonnegative real line. A conservation law plus some heuristics standing on solid theoretical ground generate approximation formulas for the steady-state distribution and other congestion measures. These formulas are consistent with the exact results for the M/G/s/s and M/M/s/s + r queues. The accuracy of approximations for principal congestion measures are numerically examined for some particular cases.