SOLUTION FOR ASSIGNMENT #5                                       Spring 1999
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Running to a 2% accuracy and 95% confidence we get:

  Random balancing (LoadSplit) = 0.550 sec (for mean response time)

  Round robin (TurnTaker) = 0.314 sec

  Shortest queue (ShortQ) = 0.316 sec

TurnTaker and ShortQ are both with a fraction of a percentage and one cannot
state which is statistically better with 95% confidence.  Given that both
are "the same", the purchase of the more expensive ShortQ is not justified.
Your original decision was correct for the given assumptions of exponential
arrivals and deterministic service time.  But, are these good and reasonable
assumptions???

For the extra credit, change the service time to non-deterministic
(exponential will work) and note that ShortQ is now the best by a
decent margin.  Using exponential service times and running to a
2% accuracy and 95% confidence we get:

  Random balancing (LoadSplit) = 1.003 sec (for mean response time)

  Round robin (TurnTaker) = 0.763 sec

  Shortest queue (ShortQ) = 0.542 sec

So, maybe you should buy the ShortQ box anyhow and boost your career in
more than one way.

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