Which books are used today to learn discrete-event simulation?

Question

I just got enrolled in a program that starts me in researches about new Networks Protocols, and my first assignment is to learn about Discrete-Event Simulation.

It was recommended 2 books:

Simulating Computer Systems: Techniques and Tools by Myron H. MacDougall

Simulation Model Design and Execution: Building Digital Worlds by Paul Fishwick

Both books use tools that I won't be using in particularly but I was told it is a good book to learn the basics of simulation of discrete-events.

But, as it happens, the MacDougall's book isn't really available in any other store except amazon dot com, and would take 2 months to deliver it to my address. And the Fishwick's book would cost a fortune that i'm not willing to spend right now.

Now, I come here to ask which books are used today to learn discrete-event simulation that are similar to those?

P.S.: I will be using the SimPy simulation tool based on Python.

Answer 1

I'd like to recommend my own book, which is focussed on designing and implementing simulation models, unlike most classical "Discrete-Event System Simulation" textbooks, which are focussed on statistics and operations research.

Discrete Event Simulation Engineering - How to design discrete event simulations with DPMN and implement them with OESjs, Simio and AnyLogic

It's still a draft version, the HTML version is Open Access (free).

Answer 2

For those of you who still stumble upon this question while looking for resources, apart from all the books mentioned in pjs's answer (out of which I found "Discrete-Event System Simulation" by Banks, Carson, Nelson & Nicol and "Simulation Modeling and Analysis" by Law & Kelton to be most helpful) 'Simulation' by Ross is another very useful resource.

Answer 3

There are many excellent resources for learning about discrete-event simulation. Probably the top selling book of the last 35 years has been "Simulation Modeling and Analysis" by Law. Other fine choices include "Discrete-Event System Simulation" by Banks, Carson, & Nelson, "Principles of Discrete-Event Simulation" by Fishman, "Discrete-Event Simulation: A First Course" by Leemis & Park, or "Graphical Simulation Modeling and Analysis Using SIGMA for Windows" by Schruben, to name a few.

Another alternative would be to go to the Winter Simulation Conference Archive, pick any year, and check out the articles in either the introductory or advanced tutorials. I'd particularly recommend Schriber's Inside Discrete-Event Simulation Software: How It Works and Why It Matters series, and Fundamentals of Simulation Modeling by Sanchez.