This paper provides a performance study of multistage interconnection networks in packet switching environment. In comparison to earlier work, the model is more extensive ‐ it includes several parameters such as multiple‐packet messages, variable buffer size, and wait delay at a source. The model is also uniformly applied to several representative networks and thus provides a basis for fair comparison as well as selection of optimal values for parameters. The complexity of the model required use of simulation. However, a partial analytical model is provided to measure the congestion in a network.