A heuristic for broadcasting in arbitrary networks

Finding the optimal broadcasting schedule in an arbitrary network is an NP-hard problem. Many papers have been published on the topic of finding an efficient and effective heuristic for broadcasting. In this thesis, a heuristic algorithm for broadcasting in arbitrary networks is presented. This heuristic is first tested in several commonly used graphs; such as Butterfly, CCC d , deBruijn and Shuffle Exchange . In these graphs, this heuristic generates almost the same broadcast schedules as the best existing heuristic for broadcasting. However, the time complexity of this heuristic is much lower. The heuristic is also tested in three of the best-known network design models, and the heuristic outperforms the best existing heuristic in these models. The time complexity of this heuristic is O ( R · m ), where R represents the rounds of broadcasting, and m stands for the total number of communication links in the network

Heuristics for Message Broadcasting in Arbitrary Networks

With the increasing popularity of interconnection networks, efficient information dissemination has become a popular research area. Broadcasting is one of the information dissemination primitives. Finding the optimal broadcasting scheme for any originator in an arbitrary network has been proved to be an NP-Hard problem. In this thesis, two new heuristics that generate broadcast schemes in arbitrary networks are presented. Both of them have O(|E|) time complexity. Moreover, in the broadcast schemes generated by the heuristics, each vertex in the network receives the message via a shortest path. Based on computer simulations of these heuristics in some commonly used topologies and network models, and comparing the results with the best existing heuristics, we conclude that the new heuristics show comparable performances while having lower complexity

New Heuristic for Message Broadcasting in Arbitrary Networks

Efficient information dissemination in interconnection networks is a key research area because of the major role it plays in the modern interconnected world. A vast number of topics ranging from distributed computing to Internet communication rely on efficient information dissemination. Broadcasting is one of the information dissemination primitives. The minimum broadcast time problem in arbitrary networks has been examined since the 1970s. Finding an optimal broadcasting scheme for any originator in an arbitrary network has been proved to be an NP-Hard problem. In the current thesis, a new heuristic that generates broadcast schemes in arbitrary networks is presented. The heuristic has O(|E|log|V|) time complexity, where V is the set of nodes and E is the set of the links of the network. Computer simulations in some commonly used topologies and network models show that compared to the existing heuristics the new heuristic shows better performance in some network models, and comparable performance in other network models, while having a low complexity similar to the best existing heuristics. Another advantage of the new heuristic is that approximately one half of the vertices receive the message via a shortest path from the broadcast originator, while the rest of the vertices receive the message via a path at most three hops longer

Designs and Analyses in Structured Peer-To-Peer Systems

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) computing is a recent hot topic in the areas of networking and distributed systems. Work on P2P computing was triggered by a number of ad-hoc systems that made the concept popular. Later, academic research efforts started to investigate P2P computing issues based on scientific principles. Some of that research produced a number of structured P2P systems that were collectively referred to by the term "Distributed Hash Tables" (DHTs). However, the research occurred in a diversified way leading to the appearance of similar concepts yet lacking a common perspective and not heavily analyzed. In this thesis we present a number of papers representing our research results in the area of structured P2P systems grouped as two sets labeled respectively "Designs" and "Analyses". The contribution of the first set of papers is as follows. First, we present the princi- ple of distributed k-ary search and argue that it serves as a framework for most of the recent P2P systems known as DHTs. That is, given this framework, understanding existing DHT systems is done simply by seeing how they are instances of that frame- work. We argue that by perceiving systems as instances of that framework, one can optimize some of them. We illustrate that by applying the framework to the Chord system, one of the most established DHT systems. Second, we show how the frame- work helps in the design of P2P algorithms by two examples: (a) The DKS(n; k; f) system which is a system designed from the beginning on the principles of distributed k-ary search. (b) Two broadcast algorithms that take advantage of the distributed k-ary search tree. The contribution of the second set of papers is as follows. We account for two approaches that we used to evaluate the performance of a particular class of DHTs, namely the one adopting periodic stabilization for topology maintenance. The first approach was of an intrinsic empirical nature. In this approach, we tried to perceive a DHT as a physical system and account for its properties in a size-independent manner. The second approach was of a more analytical nature. In this approach, we applied the technique of Master Equations, which is a widely used technique in the analysis of natural systems. The application of the technique lead to a highly accurate description of the behavior of structured overlays. Additionally, the thesis contains a primer on structured P2P systems that tries to capture the main ideas prevailing in the field

Broadcasting in highly connected graphs

Throughout history, spreading information has been an important task. With computer networks expanding, fast and reliable dissemination of messages became a problem of interest for computer scientists. Broadcasting is one category of information dissemination that transmits a message from a single originator to all members of the network. In the past five decades the problem has been studied by many researchers and all have come to demonstrate that despite its easy definition, the problem of broadcasting does not have trivial properties and symmetries. For general graphs, and even for some very restricted classes of graphs, the question of finding the broadcast time and scheme remains NP-hard. This work uses graph theoretical concepts to explore mathematical bounds on how fast information can be broadcast in a network. The connectivity of a graph is a measure to assess how separable the graph is, or in other words how many machines in a network will have to fail to disrupt communication between all machines in the network. We initiate the study of finding upper bounds on broadcast time b(G) in highly connected graphs. In particular, we give upper bounds on b(G) for k-connected graphs and graphs with a large minimum degree. We explore 2-connected (biconnected) graphs and broadcasting in them. Using Whitney's open ear decomposition in an inductive proof we propose broadcast schemes that achieve an upper bound of ceil(n/2) for classical broadcasting as well as similar bounds for multiple originators. Exploring further, we use a matching-based approach to prove an upper bound of ceil(log(k)) + ceil(n/k) - 1 for all k-connected graphs. For many infinite families of graphs, these bounds are tight. Discussion of broadcasting in highly connected graphs leads to an exploration of dependence between the minimum degree in the graph and the broadcast time of the latter. By using similar techniques and arguments we show that if all vertices of the graph are neighboring linear numbers of vertices, then information dissemination in the graph can be achieved in ceil(log(n)) + C time. To the best of our knowledge, the bounds presented in our work are a novelty. Methods and questions proposed in this thesis open new pathways for research in broadcasting

Diameter and Broadcast Time of the Knödel graph

Efficient dissemination of information remains a central challenge for all types of networks. There are two ways to handle this issue. One way is to compress the amount of data being transferred and the second way is to minimize the delay of information distribution. Well-received approaches used in the second way either design efficient algorithms or implement reliable network architectures with optimal dissemination time. Among the well-known network architectures, the Knödel graph can be considered a suitable candidate for the problem of information dissemination. The Knödel graph W_(d, n) is a regular graph, of an even order n and degree d, 1 ≤ d ≤ floor(log n). The Knödel graph was introduced by W. Knödel almost four decades ago as network architecture with good properties in terms of broadcasting and gossiping in interconnected networks. Although the Knödel graph has a highly symmetric structure, its diameter is only known for W_(d, 2^d). Recently, the general upper and lower bounds on diameter and broadcast time of the Knödel graph have been presented. In this thesis, our motivation is to find the diameter, the number of vertices at a particular distance and the broadcast time of the Knödel graph. Theoretically, we succeed to prove the diameter and the broadcast time of the Knödel graph W_(3, n). We also claim that the Knödel graph W_(3, n) for n = 4 mod 4 and n > 16, is a diametral broadcast graph. We present that W_(3, 22) is a broadcast graph. Experimentally, however, we obtain the following results; (a) the diameter of some specific Knödel graphs, and (b) the propositions on the number of vertices at a particular distance. We also construct a new graph, denoted as HW_(d,2^d), by connecting Knödel graph W_(d-1,2^(d-1)) to hypercube H_(d-1) and experimentally show that HW_(d,2^d) has even a smaller diameter than Knödel graph W_(d,2^d)

Approximation Algorithms for Broadcasting in Simple Graphs with Intersecting Cycles

Broadcasting is an information dissemination problem in a connected network in which one node, called the originator, must distribute a message to all other nodes by placing a series of calls along the communication lines of the network. Every time the informed nodes aid the originator in distributing the message. Finding the minimum broadcast time of any vertex in an arbitrary graph is NP-Complete. The problem remains NP-Complete even for planar graphs of degree 3 and for a graph whose vertex set can be partitioned into a clique and an independent set. The best theoretical upper bound gives logarithmic approximation. It has been shown that the broadcasting problem is NP-Hard to approximate within a factor of 3-ɛ. The polynomial time solvability is shown only for tree-like graphs; trees, unicyclic graphs, tree of cycles, necklace graphs and some graphs where the underlying graph is a clique; such as fully connected trees and tree of cliques. In this thesis we study the broadcast problem in different classes of graphs where cycles intersect in at least one vertex. First we consider broadcasting in a simple graph where several cycles have common paths and two intersecting vertices, called a k-path graph. We present a constant approximation algorithm to find the broadcast time of an arbitrary k-path graph. We also study the broadcast problem in a simple cactus graph called k-cycle graph where several cycles of arbitrary lengths are connected by a central vertex on one end. We design a constant approximation algorithm to find the broadcast time of an arbitrary k-cycle graph. Next we study the broadcast problem in a hypercube of trees for which we present a 2-approximation algorithm for any originator. We provide a linear algorithm to find the broadcast time in hypercube of trees with one tree. We extend the result for any arbitrary graph whose nodes contain trees and design a linear time constant approximation algorithm where the broadcast scheme in the arbitrary graph is already known. In Chapter 6 we study broadcasting in Harary graph for which we present an additive approximation which gives 2-approximation in the worst case to find the broadcast time in an arbitrary Harary graph. Next for even values of n, we introduce a new graph, called modified-Harary graph and present a 1-additive approximation algorithm to find the broadcast time. We also show that a modified-Harary graph is a broadcast graph when k is logarithmic of n. Finally we consider a diameter broadcast problem where we obtain a lower bound on the broadcast time of the graph which has at least (d+k-1 choose d) + 1 vertices that are at a distance d from the originator, where k >= 1

The Telecommunications and Data Acquisition Report

Deep Space Network advanced systems, very large scale integration architecture for decoders, radar interface and control units, microwave time delays, microwave antenna holography, and a radio frequency interference survey are among the topics discussed

Broadcasting in Hyper-cylinder graphs

Broadcasting in computer networking means the dissemination of information, which is known initially only at some nodes, to all network members. The goal is to inform every node in the minimal time possible. There are few models for broadcasting; the simplest and the historical model is called the Classical model. In the Classical model, dissemination happens in synchronous rounds, wherein a node may only inform one of its neighbors. The broadcast question is: What is the minimum number of rounds needed for broadcasting, and what broadcast scheme achieves it? For general graphs, these questions are NP-hard, and it is known to be at least 3 - ε inapproximable for any real ε > 0. Even for some very restricted classes of graphs, the questions remain as an NP-hard problem. Little is known about broadcasting in restricted graphs, and only a few classes have a polynomial solution. Parallel and distributed computing is one of the important domains which relies on efficient broadcasting. Hypercube and torus are the most used network topology in this domain. The widespread use is not only due to their simplicity but also is for their efficiency and high robustness (e.g., fault tolerance) while having an acceptable number of links. In this thesis, it is observed that the Cartesian product of a number of path and cycle graphs produces a valuable set of topologies, we called hyper-cylinders, which contain hypercube and Torus as well. Any hyper-cylinder shares many of the beneficial features of hypercube and torus and might be a suitable substitution in some cases. Some hyper-cylinders are also similar to other practically used topologies such as cube-connected cycles. In this thesis, the effect of the Cartesian product on broadcasting and broadcasting of hyper-cylinders under the Classical and Messy models is studied. This will add a valuable class of graphs to the limited classes of graphs which have a polynomially computable broadcast time. In the end, the relation between worst-case originators and diameters in trees is studied, which may help in the broadcast study of a larger class of graphs where any tree is allowed instead of a path in the Cartesian product