A Simulation Model of the TIDAS Computer Network

To study the performance of a full-duplex messageswitched computer network, called TIDAS-T, during various conditions a simulation model has been built in order to simulate the procedure. The model describes the communication and the line procedure in the TIDAS network very closely. The only simplification made is that the processing time in the node computers is disregarded as being insignificant in comparison with the transmission and queueing times. The model, programmed in SIMSCRIPT 1.5, is very flexible because all important parameters are given by input data. The outputs from a simulation differ from run to run due to the object defined by input data parameters. The statistical results are mostly presented as complete statistical distributions. It has turned out that the model has been a splendid tool in order to study and view the consequences of different design approaches. Some of the problems in building such a complex model axe elucidated and some simulation runs are given as illustrations. As the model is very flexible it may be used to study computer networks other than TIDAS.