ABSTRACT

Multistage Interconnection Networks (MINs) play an important role in the development of high-speed networks based on Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). They can also be used in Parallel Processing Systems. Nowadays there is a great interest about Switching Systems and especially for self-routing systems called Banyan Switching Systems (BSSs). Large scale switching fabrics are based on BSSs (especially on 8x8 BSSs). They consist of 2x2 simple switches.

In this paper, we study a typical 8x8 BSS that operates with relaxed blocking mechanism. The assumption of Bernoulli distribution of arrivals of packets on inputs is a simplification of real word situation. Under all the above conditions, we create a simulation in order to analyze the behavior of an 8x8 BSS. Cases of MINs in which buffer size varies are faced. So, we study the utilization and the probability of lost packets for all stages of an 8x8 BSS under different size of load on inputs with switches of zero (unbuffered) or finite length buffers. Our contribution in analysis of a typical BSS using the mechanism of relaxed blocking can be used in analysis of several types of networks in order to study the performance of transport packets from network to network via multistage switches. Finally, the results and conclusions of this simulation can be used by future studies of 8x8 BSSs that operate with other mechanisms of blocking.