Jeffrey P. Buzen
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Peter Buzen is an American
computer scientist
in system performance analysis best known for his contributions to queueing theory
. His 1971 doctoral thesis
Computational algorithms for closed queueing networks with exponential servers
has guided the study of queueing network modeling.
Born in Brooklyn
, Buzen received a Sc.B.
in applied mathematics
from Brown University
(1965), and at Harvard University
received a M.Sc.
(1966) and Ph.D.
(1971). He was a systems programmer at the NIH
in Bethesda, MD (1967–69), studying the performance of realtime systems, which led to his first publication in a 1969 IEEE conference. From 1971 to 1976, he held various appointments as a Lecturer in Computer Science
at Harvard, and as a Systems Engineer at Honeywell
. Some of his students at Harvard have gone on to become well known figures in the computer industry. Robert M. Metcalfe co-invented Ethernet
, John M. McQuillan
developed routing algorithms used by ARPAnet
, and Bill Gates
co-founded Microsoft
.
His career in computer performance analysis has included the creation of several fundamental mathematical models and analysis procedures used in operational research, and the development of tools based on these models and procedures. With fellow Harvard applied mathematics Ph.D.s Robert Goldberg and Harold Schwenk he co-founded BGS Systems in 1976 to support and market these tools, serving as its vice president in charge of R&D until BGS Systems merged with BMC Software
in 1998.
He has held leadership positions in various professional societies, including ACM
Sigmetrics, the IFIP
Working Group and the CMG
(was President from 2000 to 2001). In 1979, he received CMG's A.A. Michelson award for technical excellence and professional contributions as a teacher and inspirer of others.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
computer scientist
Computer scientist
A computer scientist is a scientist who has acquired knowledge of computer science, the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their application in computer systems....
in system performance analysis best known for his contributions to queueing theory
Queueing theory
Queueing theory is the mathematical study of waiting lines, or queues. The theory enables mathematical analysis of several related processes, including arriving at the queue, waiting in the queue , and being served at the front of the queue...
. His 1971 doctoral thesis
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
Computational algorithms for closed queueing networks with exponential servers
has guided the study of queueing network modeling.
Born in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, Buzen received a Sc.B.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in applied mathematics
Applied mathematics
Applied mathematics is a branch of mathematics that concerns itself with mathematical methods that are typically used in science, engineering, business, and industry. Thus, "applied mathematics" is a mathematical science with specialized knowledge...
from Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
(1965), and at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
received a M.Sc.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
(1966) and Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(1971). He was a systems programmer at the NIH
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
in Bethesda, MD (1967–69), studying the performance of realtime systems, which led to his first publication in a 1969 IEEE conference. From 1971 to 1976, he held various appointments as a Lecturer in Computer Science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
at Harvard, and as a Systems Engineer at Honeywell
Honeywell
Honeywell International, Inc. is a major conglomerate company that produces a variety of consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems for a wide variety of customers, from private consumers to major corporations and governments....
. Some of his students at Harvard have gone on to become well known figures in the computer industry. Robert M. Metcalfe co-invented Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
, John M. McQuillan
John M. McQuillan
John M. McQuillan is an American computer scientist, known for studies of adaptive routing in the early ARPANET.He received his A.B. , M.S. and Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Harvard University...
developed routing algorithms used by ARPAnet
ARPANET
The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network , was the world's first operational packet switching network and the core network of a set that came to compose the global Internet...
, and Bill Gates
Bill Gates
William Henry "Bill" Gates III is an American business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and author. Gates is the former CEO and current chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen...
co-founded Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
.
His career in computer performance analysis has included the creation of several fundamental mathematical models and analysis procedures used in operational research, and the development of tools based on these models and procedures. With fellow Harvard applied mathematics Ph.D.s Robert Goldberg and Harold Schwenk he co-founded BGS Systems in 1976 to support and market these tools, serving as its vice president in charge of R&D until BGS Systems merged with BMC Software
BMC Software
BMC Software, Inc. is a multinational corporation specializing in Business Service Management software, with record annual revenue in fiscal 2009 of $1.87 billion...
in 1998.
He has held leadership positions in various professional societies, including ACM
Association for Computing Machinery
The Association for Computing Machinery is a learned society for computing. It was founded in 1947 as the world's first scientific and educational computing society. Its membership is more than 92,000 as of 2009...
Sigmetrics, the IFIP
International Federation for Information Processing
The International Federation for Information Processing is an umbrella organization for national societies working in the field of information technology. It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with offices in Laxenburg, Austria...
Working Group and the CMG
Computer Measurement Group
The Computer Measurement Group , founded in 1974, is a worldwide non-profit organization of data processing professionals whose work involves measuring and managing the performance of computing systems...
(was President from 2000 to 2001). In 1979, he received CMG's A.A. Michelson award for technical excellence and professional contributions as a teacher and inspirer of others.