The principal investigators propose to use a quaÕitative approach to analyzing stability problems in local area networks/ These problems include ergodicity and nonergodicity, partial ergodycity, practical stability, shape of steady-state distributions (bistability property) and robustness. In order to make meaningful performance predictions, given the variability inherent in most local area networks, they plan to take a stochastic approach throughout the research. They will define stability of a system in terms of a number of properties, provide computable conditions for various kinds of stabinity and apply their analysis to different types of networks such as ALOHI-type, ETHERNET with exponential back-off algor thms, token-passing computer networks, multiaccess system with conflict resolution algorithms, and exponential back-off protocols. The outcome is intended to be a set of constructiwe algorithms for assessing the stability of computer systems and their networks, methods for improving stability, and algorithms for approximating`impoztant performance measures of some classes of complex systems.
