An investigation into multimedia local area networks : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology in Information Engineering at Massey University

Abstract

In this thesis the performance of the Multimedia Local Asynchronous Transfer Mode Network (MLAN) protocol is evaluated by a computer simulation method using voice and data source models. SIMSCRIPT II.5, a discrete event simulation language is used for the simulation. In addition, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) and Fast Ethernet networks were simulated for data traffic and their performance is evaluated using COMNET III, a communication network simulation package. The main aim of this work is to evaluate the performance of the MLAN and to analyse the suitability of MLAN for Multimedia Traffic. The work is further extended by comparing the performance of MLAN with FDDI and Fast Ethernet LANs. Simulation results show that MLAN protocol has some potential to operate as a Multimedia LAN. However, analysis shows that some modification of the protocol is required to increase the bandwidth utilisation.