Modelling of Ethernet Traffic on Multiple Timescales

Ethernet is one of the most common link layer technologies, used in local area networks, wireless networks and wide area networks. There is however a lack of traffic models for Ethernet that is usable in performance analysis. In this paper we use such a model. The model operates on matching multiple moments of the bit rate at several timescales. In order to match the model parameters to measured traffic, five methods have been developed. We use this to model three different links; the BCpOct89 Bellcore trace, an Internet access link and an ADSL link. Our results show that, as the number of sources present on an Ethernet link grows, the model becomes better and less complex.