This paper proposes a new formalism to classify distributed systems. Traditional tools, like queuing theory, Markov chains, and perturbance analysis, assume linear system behaviors and are used to characterize steady state operation, meaningful only if the dynamic transients are disregarded. An approach, based upon methodology used to characterize nonlinear chaotic systems, is introduced. A simulation model, a mesh of processors with distributed routing, is used to demonstrate typical behaviors, including chaos.
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