Simulation methods for studying nonstationary behavior of computer networks

Methods for the simulation of the nonstationary behavior of computer networks are discussed. Steady-state performance measures, typically computed over time histories, are modified to be applicable to the nonstationary case by redefining the measures as ensemble statistics. The application of well-known ensemble simulation techniques to determining the modified performance metrics from finite ensembles generated by independent replications is given. The simulation methods are illustrated with a comprehensive tutorial example and with a performance study which gives results for a shared buffer switch