A parallel genetic algorithm for the Steiner Problem in Networks

This paper presents a parallel genetic algorithm to the Steiner Problem in Networks. Several previous papers have proposed the adoption of GAs and others metaheuristics to solve the SPN demonstrating the validity of their approaches. This work differs from them for two main reasons: the dimension and the characteristics of the networks adopted in the experiments and the aim from which it has been originated. The reason that aimed this work was namely to build a comparison term for validating deterministic and computationally inexpensive algorithms which can be used in practical engineering applications, such as the multicast transmission in the Internet. On the other hand, the large dimensions of our sample networks require the adoption of a parallel implementation of the Steiner GA, which is able to deal with such large problem instances

Network-provider-independent overlays for resilience and quality of service.

PhDOverlay networks are viewed as one of the solutions addressing the inefficiency and slow evolution of the Internet and have been the subject of significant research. Most existing overlays providing resilience and/or Quality of Service (QoS) need cooperation among different network providers, but an inter-trust issue arises and cannot be easily solved. In this thesis, we mainly focus on network-provider-independent overlays and investigate their performance in providing two different types of service. Specifically, this thesis addresses the following problems: Provider-independent overlay architecture: A provider-independent overlay framework named Resilient Overlay for Mission-Critical Applications (ROMCA) is proposed. We elaborate its structure including component composition and functions and also provide several operational examples. Overlay topology construction for providing resilience service: We investigate the topology design problem of provider-independent overlays aiming to provide resilience service. To be more specific, based on the ROMCA framework, we formulate this problem mathematically and prove its NP-hardness. Three heuristics are proposed and extensive simulations are carried out to verify their effectiveness. Application mapping with resilience and QoS guarantees: Assuming application mapping is the targeted service for ROMCA, we formulate this problem as an Integer Linear Program (ILP). Moreover, a simple but effective heuristic is proposed to address this issue in a time-efficient manner. Simulations with both synthetic and real networks prove the superiority of both solutions over existing ones. Substrate topology information availability and the impact of its accuracy on overlay performance: Based on our survey that summarizes the methodologies available for inferring the selective substrate topology formed among a group of nodes through active probing, we find that such information is usually inaccurate and additional mechanisms are needed to secure a better inferred topology. Therefore, we examine the impact of inferred substrate topology accuracy on overlay performance given only inferred substrate topology information

NETWORK AND DOMAIN AUTOCONFIGURATION: A UNIFIED FRAMEWORK FOR LARGE MOBILE AD HOC NETWORKS

Configuration management is critical to correct and efficient operation of large networks. In those cases where the users and networks are dynamic and ad hoc, manual configuration quickly becomes too complex. The combination of the sheer number of nodes with the heterogeneity and dynamics makes it almost impossible for the system administrator to ensure good configuration or even ensure correct operation. To achieve the vision of pervasive computing, nodes must automatically discover their environment and self-configure, then must automatically reconfigure to adapt to changes. Protocols such as DHCP, DDNS and mDNS provide some degree of host autoconfiguration, but network administrators must still configure information such as address pools, routing protocols, or OSPF routing areas. Only limited progress has been made to automate the configuration of routers, servers and network topology. This dissertation proposes the autoconfiguration of most host, router and server information, including the automatic generation and maintenance of hierarchy, under the same architectural, algorithmic and protocol framework. The proposed unified framework consists of modules (DRCP, DCDP, YAP, ACA) responsible for the entity autoconfiguration and from a modified and well adjusted general optimization (Simulated Annealing) based algorithm for the domain autoconfiguration. Due to the generality of the optimization algorithm, the generated hierarchy can improve dynamically selected network performance aspects represented by appropriately designed objective functions and constraints. An indicative set related to the physical characteristics of the domains and node mobility is provided. Even though SA has been adjusted for faster convergence, it may still be unable to capture the dynamics of rapidly changing networks. Thus, a faster but suboptimal distributed hierarchy generation mechanism that follows the design philosophy of SA-based mechanism has also been introduced. Inevitably, due to network dynamics, the quality of the hierarchy will degrade. In such scenarios, the frequent reapplication of the expensive optimization based hierarchy generation is prohibitive. Hence, for extending the domain formation framework, distributed maintenance mechanisms have been proposed for reconstructing the feasibility and quality of the hierarchy by enforcing localized decisions. The proposed framework has been applied to provide solutions on some realistic network problems related to hierarchical routing and topology control

Optimisation of Mobile Communication Networks - OMCO NET

The mini conference “Optimisation of Mobile Communication Networks” focuses on advanced methods for search and optimisation applied to wireless communication networks. It is sponsored by Research & Enterprise Fund Southampton Solent University. The conference strives to widen knowledge on advanced search methods capable of optimisation of wireless communications networks. The aim is to provide a forum for exchange of recent knowledge, new ideas and trends in this progressive and challenging area. The conference will popularise new successful approaches on resolving hard tasks such as minimisation of transmit power, cooperative and optimal routing

Improving Multicast Communications Over Wireless Mesh Networks

In wireless mesh networks (WMNs) the traditional approach to shortest path tree based multicasting is to cater for the needs of the poorest performingnode i.e. the maximum permitted multicast line rate is limited to the lowest line rate used by the individual Child nodes on a branch. In general, this meansfixing the line rate to its minimum value and fixing the transmit power to its maximum permitted value. This simplistic approach of applying a single multicast rate for all nodes in the multicast group results in a sub-optimal trade-off between the mean network throughput and coverage area that does not allow for high bandwidth multimedia applications to be supported. By relaxing this constraint and allowing multiple line rates to be used, the mean network throughput can be improved. This thesis presents two methods that aim to increase the mean network throughput through the use of multiple line rates by the forwarding nodes. This is achieved by identifying the Child nodes responsible for reducing the multicast group rate. The first method identifies specific locations for the placement of relay nodes which allows for higher multicast branch line rates to be used. The second method uses a power control algorithm to tune the transmit power to allow for higher multicast branch line rates. The use of power control also helps to reduce the interference caused to neighbouring nodes.Through extensive computer simulation it can be shown that these two methods can lead to a four-fold gain in the mean network throughput undertypical WMN operating conditions compared with the single line rate case

Smart Algorithms for Hierarchical Clustering in Optical Network

Network design process is a very important in order to balance between the investment in the network and the supervises offered to the network user, taking into consideration, both minimizing the network investment cost, on the other hand, maximizing the quality of service offered to the customers as well.Partitioning the network to smaller sub-networks called clusters is required during the design process inorder to ease studying the whole network and achieve the design process as a trade-off between several atrtributes such as quality of service, reliability,cost, and management. Under CANON, a large scale optical network is partitioned into a number of geographically limited areas taking into account many different criteria like administrative domains, topological characteristics, traffic patterns, legacy infrastructure etc. An important consideration is that each of these clusters is comprised of a group of nodes in geographical proximity. The clusters can coincide with administrative domains but there could be many cases where two or more clusters belong to the same administrative domain. Therefore, in the most general case the partitioning into specific clusters can be either a off-line or a on-line process. In this work only the off-line case is considered. In this Study, we look at the problem of designing efficient 2- level Hierarchical Optical Networks (HON), in the context of network costs optimization. 2-level HON paradigm only have local rings to connect disjoint sets of nodes and a global sub mesh to interconnect all the local rings. We present an Hierarchical algorithm that is based on two phases. We present results for scenarios containing a set of real optical topologies

A flexible, abstract network optimisation framework and its application to telecommunications network design and configuration problems

A flexible, generic network optimisation framework is described. The purpose of this framework is to reduce the effort required to solve particular network optimisation problems. The essential idea behind the framework is to develop a generic network optimisation problem to which many network optimisation problems can be mapped. A number of approaches to solve this generic problem can then be developed. To solve some specific network design or configuration problem the specific problem is mapped to the generic problem and one of the problem solvers is used to obtain a solution. This solution is then mapped back to the specific problem domain. Using the framework in this way, a network optimisation problem can be solved using less effort than modelling the problem and developing some algorithm to solve the model. The use of the framework is illustrated in two separate problems: design of an enterprise network to accommodate voice and data traffic and configuration of a core diffserv/MPLS network. In both cases, the framework enabled solutions to be found with less effort than would be required if a more direct approach was used