Performance considerations for token ring networks

Abstract

After providing an introduction to LANs (local area networks), the author reviews some performance considerations for the IBM token ring local area network (TRN). A system developed to tune a distributed processing TRN is discussed in detail. Particular attention is given to the development of a benchmark that could simulate the requirements of an expert system, while at the same time exercising the file I/O over the token ring network. A custom benchmark was developed which combines and translates into PROLOG three of Gabriel's LISP benchmarks: Browse, Fileprint, and Fileread. It is noted that the master/slave benchmark set-up used to measure remote response time could be implemented on almost any network with any LAN support software.<>