Analysis and Comparison of Different Interconnection Solutions for Switched Ethernet Networks

Subdivision and segmentation of Ethernet networks is a widely-used design strategy for medium-large LANs. By using switches it is possible to subdivide an Ethernet into several distinct segments, each with its own bandwidth only shared by local users. This paper proposes an approach to model a segment of an Ethernet network in a very concise way, so that it can be easily represented through a Petri Net model and evaluated by simulation. Our approach makes it possible to examine and compare different interconnection solutions for switched Ethernet networks in order to identify the best one for various types of traffic, and it allows modularity and versatility in testing different topologies and network interconnections, without the need of re-defining the models of the different network components.