Queueing Networks via Fluid Limit Models

The subject of this paper is open multiclass queueing networks, which are common models of communication networks, and complex manufacturing systems such as wafer fabrication facilities. We provide sufficient conditions for the existence of bounds on long-run average moments of the queue lengths at the various stations, and we bound the rate of convergence of the mean queue length to its steady-state value. Our work provides a solid foundation for performance analysis either by analytical methods or by simulation. These results are applied to several examples including re-entrant lines, generalized Jackson networks, and a general polling model as found in computer networks applications.