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Network calculus is "a set of mathematical results which give insights into man-made systems such as concurrent programs, digital circuits and communication networks." Network calculus gives a theoretical framework for analysing performance guarantees in computer networks. As traffic flows through a network it is subject to constraints imposed by the system components, for example:
These constraints can be expressed and analysed with network calculus methods. Constraint curves can be combined using convolution under min-plus algebra. Network calculus can also be used to express traffic arrival and departure functions as well as service curves.
The calculus uses "alternate algebras... to transform complex non-linear network systems into analytically tractable linear systems."
Currently, there exists two branches in network calculus: one handling deterministic bounded, and one handling stochastic bounds.