Fluid modelling of packet switching networks: perspectives for congestion control

Abstract

This paper investigates the fluid modelling of packet switching networks. A simplified network protocol and the corresponding (exact) continuous-time fluid modelling are simulated. Some numerical results show that the use of deterministic fluid models instead of discrete models is justified (in certain conditions). Our aim is to set out and analyse the conditions in which fluid modelling accurately represents discrete packet switching protocols. Fluid modelling has the potential to facilitate the study of network behaviour, and allows results from the theory of input–output systems with feedback to be applied to certain well-determined scenarios, thus enabling new schemes for controlling network congestion, more robust with respect to variations in traffic to be defined.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank H. Mounier for helpful comments, as well as the French Research Ministry and French Industry Ministry for their financial support (ACI, ANVAR).