Computer network analysis by using a generalized Petri network simulator

Computer networks supply distributed applications in both wide area and local area environments. Two main problems exist in computer networks and need deep investigation: the communication structure among processes resident in separate computers and the management structure. This paper proposes a simulation based tool that can be used not only to verify the specifications of the communicating processes, but also to evaluate the expected performances. The adopted technique is based on a Petri net formal description written by using FORTRAN programming language. This approach allows us to obtain very precise indications, without the unnecessary and often arbitrary simplifications needed by analytical models.