Performance considerations for token ring networks

After providing an introduction to LANs (local area networks), the author reviews some performance considerations for the IBM token ring local area network (TRN). A system developed to tune a distributed processing TRN is discussed in detail. Particular attention is given to the development of a benchmark that could simulate the requirements of an expert system, while at the same time exercising the file I/O over the token ring network. A custom benchmark was developed which combines and translates into PROLOG three of Gabriel's LISP benchmarks: Browse, Fileprint, and Fileread. It is noted that the master/slave benchmark set-up used to measure remote response time could be implemented on almost any network with any LAN support software.<>