Abstract
In this paper the optimal control of a single-channel bulk service queueing system with random server capacity is investigated. Given an accumulation level
r, the server stops processing new customers whenever the queue falls below
r and resumes service when the queue reaches level
r again. Server capacity becomes random following an idle period. A quick search procedure is designed to determine the value of
r that yields the minimum expected total cost per unit of time. The effect of the server capacity distribution on the optimal control is then studied. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted in order to assess the extent to which our results are valid.