An introduction to queueing theory

This book provides the reader with the enhanced lecture material taken from a highly successful course in queueing theory that has been given, over the years, to students studying operational research. It is assumed that the reader has a good background in basic algebra, calculus and probability and from this foundation, mathematical models for a wide variety of interesting and realistic queueing systems are built. The models are carefully developed and illustrated with examples to show their application and potential. Readers are encouraged to test their own skills and proficiency through a number of exercises to which complete solutions are provided. Also covered, with worked examples, are birth-death models which can be used in a number of different areas. Models solved by using Markov Chains are discussed and similarly illustrated. Transient solutions, along with the important topics of queueing networks and simulation, with computer solutions for the latter, feature in the second half of the book. Finally, a recent development, the transient solution of an M/M/1 queue is given in a simple form easily understood by students.