Diffusion limits for open networks of finite-buffer queues

This paper presents diffusion limits for congestion in networks of finite-buffer queues. We consider both loss networks, such as those in communication systems, and networks with manufacturing blocking. In both cases, the number in system process, under conditions of approximate balance under heavy traffic and appropriate scaling of buffers, is shown to behave like a multidimensional Brownian motion reflected to stay within a rectangle in the positive orthant. The two limits differ in directions of reflection off the faces representing full buffers. The limits suggest possible diffusion approximations for finite buffer networks.