In the field telecommunications and distributed systems we observe a vivid technological and methodological development; the integration of services and new fields of application require demands of up to now unknown quality and quantity.

Stochastic modeling methods being necessary for the conception, planning, realization and operation have always to be adapted to this development. In many cases the traditional models are no more sufficient; then totally new ways have to be found. Furthermore, shortened cycles of development require the highly efficient and extensively automatized support by tool environments.

The aim of the planned seminar is to unite European and foreign scientists working in indus try and university, in the field of telecommunications and computer science. New ideas, concepts and results of modeling will be presented, discussed and evaluated.

The subjects we are dealing with can be classified with respect to technology, application, and modeling. Some important problems are for example the following

1. The information and control flow as well as the management of slotted high-speed networks (e.g. ATM-asynchronous transfer mode) require discrete models with highly efficient evaluation techniques
2. Modeling processes for mobile radio nets varying by location and time must theoretically be further developed, tested and evaluated
3. Synchronizing and coordinating processes within the nets require an adequate modeling of causal dependencies
4. Distributed applications require a simultaneous modeling of both the functional and temporal behavior and mutual influencing
5. Beside the classical ways of solving stochastic modeling, integral concepts, especially Stochastic Petri Nets, Stochastic Automata and Stochastic Process Algebras are graining more importance
6. Beside the exact component modeling, modeling hierarchies for partial systems and for complex nets are playing a more and more important role. The correct description of the interfaces between modeling levels is thereby very important.

Efficient Stochastic Modeling of large telecommunications nets and distributed systems is only possible, if the modeling, the evaluation technique and presentation of results are harmonically coordinated and if they realistically comprise the field of application.

We will systematically invite international experts for all problem fields. Beside summarizing of all results in a Dagstuhl seminar report, we intend to publish the most interesting contributions in a special issue of a recommended journal.