Optimal control of M(T)/M/K queues with homogeneous and heterogeneous servers

The paper deals with a multi-server controllable queueing system M(t)/M/K with time-dependent and, in particular, with periodic arrival rates. The models with homogeneous and heterogeneous servers are of interest. In latter case the fastest free server allocation mechanism is assumed and the preemption is allowed. The control problem consists in evaluation of the optimal number of servers during some specified stages and is solved by finite horizon dynamic programming approach. To calculate the transient solutions we use a forth-order Runge-Kutta method for the system with a truncated queue length. The results are compared with corresponding queues operating in a stationary regime. It is shown that the optimal control policies are also time dependent and periodic as arrival rates and heterogeneous systems are superior in performance comparing to the homogeneous ones. © Springer International Publishing AG 2016.