Abstract
A network of three single-server queues is investigated. Performance of two queueing disciplines is compared on the basis of the mean and variance of the network cycle time. The two queueing disciplines are first-in-system first-out (FISFO) and first-in first-out (FIFO). Intuition suggests, in certain cases, that the mean cycle time will be the same under both disciplines but that the variance will be lower under FISFO. Results of this study suggest that in the cases where there is a low traffic intensity, both disciplines perform the same. When there is a high traffic intensity, FISFO produces not only lower variance of the cycle time but also lower mean cycle time than FIFO in certain situations. These results suggest that FISFO, a simple rule to implement, can yield improvements in the variability of the cycle time in systems like the one investigated in this research. These improvements will impact favorably the quoting of lead times and customer satisfaction. More simulation experiments are suggested to provide more evidence that analytical results need to be developed.
Vasquez Pariente, Marta Irene (1996). Cycle time variability for a network under two queueing disciplines. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1996 -THESIS -V37.