Exercise 5. Suppose there is a network forming a star topology where the center switch connects N users. The switch can process X bits per sec. Each user sends q bits per sec. Answer the following questions. (a) Assuming that the traffic can be modelled as a fluid model , what is the maximumnumber of users which this network can support without the need of a queue? (b) In this question, we will be using the packet-switching network. Each user will send k packets per sec, each p bits in size where kx p Assume that the switch can queue q bits (i.e. the queue can hold one user's one second worth of data). Also assume that N is larger than the value you calculated in problem (a). What benefit do users have by splitting their data into small chunks? (Hint: think what will happen if the users send their whole data in one single packet.) Meaning users generate traffic as a continuous stream of input at a constant rate. Hints for Exercise 5 We are assuming a fluid model. In this model, we assume that users send their data in a continuous stream. In this problem, we want to know the maximum number of users the switch can support without having their data lost. (If the switch does not have any queue, the switch cannot buffer data that overflowed) We are assuming a packet-switched network. Here, the switch will use a store-and-forward system. In a store-and-forward system, the switch waits for the whole packet to arrive before it sends that packet to the next link. How will the store-and-forward system and the size packet affect the user? 1. 2