Approximating unreliable queueing networks under the assumption of exponentiality. (English) Zbl 0583.90039

Vinod, B.; Altiok, T.

J. Oper. Res. Soc. 37, 309-316 (1986).

This paper deals with the approximate analysis and application of an unreliable closed queueing network to model the performance of a flexible manufacturing system. The service stations in the network are subject to breakdown and repair when active. An exact equivalent network is represented with two-stage Coxian service stations. We approximate the equivalent network by assuming exponentiality for the service completion time, which has a two-stage Coxian distribution. We validate the approximation for a wide range of model parameters and demonstrate the robustness of queueing network formulae to the assumption of exponentiality.

MSC:

90B25	Reliability, availability, maintenance, inspection in operations research
60K20	Applications of Markov renewal processes (reliability, queueing networks, etc.)
62N05	Reliability and life testing
90B22	Queues and service in operations research
60K25	Queueing theory (aspects of probability theory)

Keywords:

approximate analysis; unreliable closed queueing network; flexible manufacturing system; two-stage Coxian service stations