Performance evaluation for multistage interconnection networks servicing unicast and multicast traffic (by partial operation)

In this paper a novel performance evaluation method for multistage interconnection networks (MINs) servicing unicast and multicast traffic is presented. The multicasting policy where a packet is copied and transmitted is not only applied when both next stage destination buffers are available but also when at least one destination buffer is able to accept packets. This mechanism, which is called "partial multicast", was employed by all SEs using the "Cell Replication While Routing" (CRWR) technique. The proposed analysis was applied to various network-size MINs constructed by symmetrical Switching Elements (SEs), supporting mixed traffic patterns such as unicast and multicast, under various offered loads in uniform traffic conditions. The performance of MINs with partial multicasting transmission, which is thoroughly analyzed by our analytical model, can also be useful in performance study and development of other alternative architectures of multistage networks that also support mixed traffic.