Introduction to the Second Edition

During the two decades since the publication of the first edition of our book, queueing theory has developed substantially. A large number of new service systems have been studied by the traditional methods of Markov processes and embedded Markov chains. Priority systems have been investigated intensively (mainly in connection with the problems of modern computational technology, teletraffic systems, systems of inventory control, and transportation and operations research). Along with Markovian methods, powerful ergodic methods have been developed and a stability theory of service systems has been worked out. The method of statistical simulation has become one of the most widespread computational tools for solving problems of queueing theory.