The effect of cut-through switching on the performance of buffered banyan networks

Fast packet switches based on banyan interconnection networks and their variations are being proposed for Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network (B-ISDN). Previous analyses on buffered banyan networks mainly assume the store-and-forward operation of the switching systems. In this paper we study the effect of cut-through switching on buffered banyan networks. Two types of buffered banyan networks are considered: those with the switching elements employing input buffers and those employing output buffers. We extend the analytical method of Theimer et al. to multibuffered banyan networks, and to buffered banyan networks with output buffering in the switching elements. We present the analyses of buffered banyan networks operating under cut-through switching. The results of these analyses confirm the simulation results, originally made by Bubenik and Turner, that cut-through switching in buffered banyan networks improves both throughput and delay performances.