Interconnection of LANs in an open systems environment

This paper studies two methods of interconnecting heterogeneous local area networks (LANs) such as Carrier-Sense Multiple-Access (CSMA) and token ring networks in an open systems environment, and evaluates the associated system performance. The first interconnecting method is to link the two LANs through gateways; the second is to use an architecture in which some stations on the ring LAN are also linked to the CSMA LAN via a multiplexer. Through such interconnected LANs, the Department of Defense end users can process data and applications seamlessly in an open systems environment. It has been shown that the second method (a type of dual interface) gives better performance in minimizing the response time and token rotation time, causing less traffic congestion. By allowing routing at the stations on the ring, the comparison becomes rather arbitrary. An optimal traffic routing ratio is determined for the second interconnection method. Moreover, a threshold routing ratio, beyond which the first interconnection is superior in performance, is computed.<>