QNA-MC: A performance evaluation tool for communication networks with multicast data streams

Abstract

In this paper we present QNA-MC (Queueing Network Analyzer supporting MultiCast), a new performance evaluation tool for the analytical evaluation of multicast protocols. QNA-MC is based on the QNA tool which (approximately) analyses open networks consisting of GI|G|m nodes. We extend this method by allowing a more general input in form of multicast routes. These routes are then converted to serve as input for standard QNA. From the results delivered by QNA our tool derives several performance measures for multicast streams in the network. We validate our approach by comparison to simulation results. Moreover, we give an application example by evaluating different multicast routing algorithms in the European MBONE using QNA-MC.