Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 July 2016
Using sample path analysis we show that under the same load the mean delay in queue in the M/G/2 system is smaller than that in the corresponding M/G/1 system, when the service time has either the DMRL or NBU property and the service discipline is FCFS. The proof technique uses a new device that equalizes the work in a two server system with that in a single sterver system. Other interesting quantities such as the average difference in work between the two servers in the GI/G/2 system and an exact alternate derivation of the mean delay in the M/M/2 system from sample path analysis are presented. For the same load, we also show that the mean delay in the M/G/C system with general service time distribution is smaller than that in the M/G/1 system when the traffic intensity is less than 1/c.