The world is inherently complex and multimedia in nature. The development of computer systems to tackle real-world problems is an extremely difficult task. As computers capable of manipulating multimedia information are becoming more powerful and commonplace, larger and more complex systems are increasingly being built. To fully comprehend the complexity of such undertakings, proper modeling of multimedia information and systems must be carried out.A model provides a high-level abstraction of the system in which the implementation is based upon. It permits the desirable properties of the system to be extracted and analyzed and also provides a uniform framework for integration between different systems, and for interactions between the system and human users.This volume is devoted to the discussion of effective modeling of multimedia information and systems for a wide range of applications. It aims to provide common modeling frameworks for the integration of the diverse subjects in the field of multimedia information.

SICON ''97 is the fifth conference since the first SICON, organized in 1989. It aims to provide a forum for the presentation and dissemination of results in computer communications and networking research.SICON ''97 has a single-track technical programme comprising less than half of the total number of full papers that were submitted to the International Programme Committee of well-known and respected experts for review. The technical programme covers original research and development in the following areas: high speed networks, ATM, optical networks, wireless and mobile networks, performance measurement and modeling, network security, resource sharing and quality of service, internetworking, network architecture and protocols, and distributed computing.

The world is inherently complex and multimedia in nature. The development of computer systems to tackle real-world problems is an extremely difficult task. As computers capable of manipulating multimedia information are becoming more powerful and commonplace, larger and more complex systems are increasingly being built. To fully comprehend the complexity of such undertakings, proper modeling of multimedia information and systems must be carried out.A model provides a high-level abstraction of the system in which the implementation is based upon. It permits the desirable properties of the system to be extracted and analyzed and also provides a uniform framework for integration between different systems, and for interactions between the system and human users.This volume is devoted to the discussion of effective modeling of multimedia information and systems for a wide range of applications. It aims to provide common modeling frameworks for the integration of the diverse subjects in the field of multimedia information.

SICON ''97 is the fifth conference since the first SICON, organized in 1989. It aims to provide a forum for the presentation and dissemination of results in computer communications and networking research.SICON ''97 has a single-track technical programme comprising less than half of the total number of full papers that were submitted to the International Programme Committee of well-known and respected experts for review. The technical programme covers original research and development in the following areas: high speed networks, ATM, optical networks, wireless and mobile networks, performance measurement and modeling, network security, resource sharing and quality of service, internetworking, network architecture and protocols, and distributed computing.