S++-a new MAC protocol for Gb/s local area networks

A media access control (MAC) layer protocol called S++, which offers several features that are desirable for gigabit per second local area networks, is described. The performance of the protocol has been investigated by detailed simulations which have been confirmed using an analytical model. A number of results that show how S++ offers consistently lower mean delays than the distributed queue dual bus (DQDB) protocol when used on a folded bus network are presented. Further results illustrate additional properties, which include the provision of pseudopriorities, a reduction in message reassembly time compared with DQDB, and the rapid redistribution of bandwidth under varying loads