Lessons from the Congested Clique Applied to MapReduce

The main results of this paper are (I) a simulation algorithm which, under quite general constraints, transforms algorithms running on the Congested Clique into algorithms running in the MapReduce model, and (II) a distributed $O(\Delta)$-coloring algorithm running on the Congested Clique which has an expected running time of (i) $O(1)$ rounds, if $\Delta \geq \Theta(\log^4 n)$; and (ii) $O(\log \log n)$ rounds otherwise. Applying the simulation theorem to the Congested-Clique $O(\Delta)$-coloring algorithm yields an $O(1)$-round $O(\Delta)$-coloring algorithm in the MapReduce model. Our simulation algorithm illustrates a natural correspondence between per-node bandwidth in the Congested Clique model and memory per machine in the MapReduce model. In the Congested Clique (and more generally, any network in the $\mathcal{CONGEST}$ model), the major impediment to constructing fast algorithms is the $O(\log n)$ restriction on message sizes. Similarly, in the MapReduce model, the combined restrictions on memory per machine and total system memory have a dominant effect on algorithm design. In showing a fairly general simulation algorithm, we highlight the similarities and differences between these models.Comment: 15 page

Towards a complexity theory for the congested clique

The congested clique model of distributed computing has been receiving attention as a model for densely connected distributed systems. While there has been significant progress on the side of upper bounds, we have very little in terms of lower bounds for the congested clique; indeed, it is now know that proving explicit congested clique lower bounds is as difficult as proving circuit lower bounds. In this work, we use various more traditional complexity-theoretic tools to build a clearer picture of the complexity landscape of the congested clique: -- Nondeterminism and beyond: We introduce the nondeterministic congested clique model (analogous to NP) and show that there is a natural canonical problem family that captures all problems solvable in constant time with nondeterministic algorithms. We further generalise these notions by introducing the constant-round decision hierarchy (analogous to the polynomial hierarchy). -- Non-constructive lower bounds: We lift the prior non-uniform counting arguments to a general technique for proving non-constructive uniform lower bounds for the congested clique. In particular, we prove a time hierarchy theorem for the congested clique, showing that there are decision problems of essentially all complexities, both in the deterministic and nondeterministic settings. -- Fine-grained complexity: We map out relationships between various natural problems in the congested clique model, arguing that a reduction-based complexity theory currently gives us a fairly good picture of the complexity landscape of the congested clique

Algebraic Methods in the Congested Clique

In this work, we use algebraic methods for studying distance computation and subgraph detection tasks in the congested clique model. Specifically, we adapt parallel matrix multiplication implementations to the congested clique, obtaining an $O(n^{1-2/\omega})$ round matrix multiplication algorithm, where $\omega < 2.3728639$ is the exponent of matrix multiplication. In conjunction with known techniques from centralised algorithmics, this gives significant improvements over previous best upper bounds in the congested clique model. The highlight results include: -- triangle and 4-cycle counting in $O(n^{0.158})$ rounds, improving upon the $O(n^{1/3})$ triangle detection algorithm of Dolev et al. [DISC 2012], -- a $(1 + o(1))$-approximation of all-pairs shortest paths in $O(n^{0.158})$ rounds, improving upon the $\tilde{O} (n^{1/2})$-round $(2 + o(1))$-approximation algorithm of Nanongkai [STOC 2014], and -- computing the girth in $O(n^{0.158})$ rounds, which is the first non-trivial solution in this model. In addition, we present a novel constant-round combinatorial algorithm for detecting 4-cycles.Comment: This is work is a merger of arxiv:1412.2109 and arxiv:1412.266

A Deterministic Algorithm for the MST Problem in Constant Rounds of Congested Clique

In this paper, we show that the Minimum Spanning Tree problem can be solved \emph{deterministically}, in $\mathcal{O}(1)$ rounds of the $\mathsf{Congested}$ $\mathsf{Clique}$ model. In the $\mathsf{Congested}$ $\mathsf{Clique}$ model, there are $n$ players that perform computation in synchronous rounds. Each round consist of a phase of local computation and a phase of communication, in which each pair of players is allowed to exchange $\mathcal{O}(\log n)$ bit messages. The studies of this model began with the MST problem: in the paper by Lotker et al.[SPAA'03, SICOMP'05] that defines the $\mathsf{Congested}$ $\mathsf{Clique}$ model the authors give a deterministic $\mathcal{O}(\log \log n)$ round algorithm that improved over a trivial $\mathcal{O}(\log n)$ round adaptation of Bor\r{u}vka's algorithm. There was a sequence of gradual improvements to this result: an $\mathcal{O}(\log \log \log n)$ round algorithm by Hegeman et al. [PODC'15], an $\mathcal{O}(\log^* n)$ round algorithm by Ghaffari and Parter, [PODC'16] and an $\mathcal{O}(1)$ round algorithm by Jurdzi\'nski and Nowicki, [SODA'18], but all those algorithms were randomized, which left the question about the existence of any deterministic $o(\log \log n)$ round algorithms for the Minimum Spanning Tree problem open. Our result resolves this question and establishes that $\mathcal{O}(1)$ rounds is enough to solve the MST problem in the $\mathsf{Congested}$ $\mathsf{Clique}$ model, even if we are not allowed to use any randomness. Furthermore, the amount of communication needed by the algorithm makes it applicable to some variants of the $\mathsf{MPC}$ model