Optimal time-critical scheduling via resource augmentation

We consider two fundamental problems in dynamic scheduling: scheduling to meet deadlines in a preemptive multiprocessor setting, and scheduling to provide good response time in a number of scheduling environments. When viewed from the perspective of traditional worst-case analysis, no good on-line algorithms exist for these problems, and for some variants no good off-line algorithms exist unless {Rho} = {Nu}{Rho}. We study these problems using a relaxed notion of competitive analysis, introduced by Kalyanasundaram and Pruhs, in which the on-line algorithm is allowed more resources than the optimal off-line algorithm to which it is compared. Using this approach, we establish that several well-known on-line algorithms, that have poor performance from an absolute worst-case perspective, are optimal for the problems in question when allowed moderately more resources. For the optimization of average flow time, these are the first results of any sort, for any {Nu}{Rho}-hard version of the problem, that indicate that it might be possible to design good approximation algorithms

Parallel evolutionary algorithms for scheduling on heterogeneous computing and grid environments

This thesis studies the application of sequential and parallel evolutionary algorithms to the scheduling problem in heterogeneous computing and grid environments, a key problem when executing tasks in distributed computing systems. Since the 1990's, this class of systems has been increasingly employed to provide support for solving complex problems using high-performance computing techniques. The scheduling problem in heterogeneous computing systems is an NP-hard optimization problem, which has been tackled using several optimization methods in the past. Among many new techniques for optimization, evolutionary computing methods have been successfully applied to this class of problems. In this work, several evolutionary algorithms in their sequential and parallel variants are specically designed to provide accurate solutions for the problem, allowing to compute an eficient planning for heterogeneous computing and grid environments. New problem instances, far more complex than those existing in the related literature, are introduced in this thesis in order to study the scalability of the presented parallel evolutionary algorithms. In addition, a new parallel micro-CHC algorithm is developed, inspired by useful ideas from the multiobjective optimization field. Eficient numerical results of this algorithm are reported in the experimental analysis performed on both well-known problem instances and the large instances specially designed in this work. The comparative study including traditional methods and evolutionary algorithms shows that the new parallel micro-CHC is able to achieve a high problem solving eficacy, outperforming previous results already reported for the problem and also having a good scalability behavior when solving high dimension problem instances.In addition, two variants of the scheduling problem in heterogeneous environments are also tackled, showing the versatility of the proposed approach using parallel evolutionary algorithms to deal with both dynamic and multi-objective scenarios.Esta tesis estudia la aplicación de algoritmos evolutivos secuenciales y paralelos para el problema de planicación de tareas en entornos de cómputo heterogéneos y de computación grid. Desde la década de 1990, estos sistemas computacionales han sido utilizados con éxito para resolver problemas complejos utilizando técnicas de computación de alto desempeo. El problema de planificación de tareas en entornos heterogéneos es un problema de optimización NP-difícil que ha sido abordado utilizando diversas técnicas. Entre las técnicas emergentes para optimización combinatoria, los algoritmos evolutivos han sido aplicados con éxito a esta clase de problemas. En este trabajo, varios algoritmos evolutivos en sus versiones secuenciales y paralelas han sido especificamente diseados para alcanzar soluciones precisas para el problema de planicación de tareas en entornos de heterogéneos, permitiendo calcular planificaciones eficientes para entornos que modelan clusters de computadores y plataformas de computación grid. Nuevas instancias del problema, con una complejidad mucho mayor que las previamente existentes en la literatura relacionada, son presentadas en esta tesis con el objetivo de analizar la escalabilidad de los algoritmos evolutivos propuestos. Complementariamente, un nuevo método, el micro-CHC paralelo es desarrollado, inspirado en ideas ítiles provenientes del área de optimización multiobjetivo. Resultados numéricos precisos y eficientes se reportan en el análisis experimental realizado sobre instancias estándar del problema y sobre las nuevas instancias especificamente diseñadas en este trabajo.El estudio comparativo que incluye a métodos tradicionales para planificación de tareas, los nuevos métodos propuestos y algoritmos evolutivos previamente aplicados al problema, demuestra que el nuevo micro-CHC paralelo es capaz de alcanzar altos valores de eficacia, superando a los mejores resultados previamente reportados en la literatura del área y mostrando un buen comportamiento de escalabilidad para resolver las instancias de gran dimensión. Además, dos variantes del problema de planificación de tareas en entornos heterogéneos han sido inicialmente estudiadas, comprobándose la versatilidad del enfoque propuesto para resolver las variantes dinámica y multiobjetivo del problema

Identical parallel-machine scheduling and worker assignment problem using genetic algorithms to minimize makespan

dentical parallel machine scheduling problem for minimizing the makespan is a very important production scheduling problem which has been proven to be NP-hard. The problem further compounds with additional constraints. Genetic algorithms (GA) have shown great advantages in solving the combinatorial optimization problem in view of its characteristic that has high efficiency and that is fit for practical application. In this chapter we present a spreadsheet based GA approach for minimizing the makespan for scheduling of a set of tasks for identical parallel machines and worker assignment to machines. The results obtained from the proposed approach are compared with two sets of benchmark problems consisting of 100 problems each. It has been demonstrated that the performance of proposed approach is superior to the results that have been obtained earlier. The proposed approach produces optimal solution for almost 95% of the problems demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach. An empirical analysis of GA parameters has also been carried out to see the effect on the performance of the proposed algorithm

Overview on: sequencing in mixed model flowshop production line with static and dynamic context

In the present work a literature overview was given on solution techniques considering basic as well as more advanced and consequently more complex arrangements of mixed model flowshops. We first analyzed the occurrence of setup time/cost; existing solution techniques are mainly focused on permutation sequences. Thereafter we discussed objectives resulting in the introduction of variety of methods allowing resequencing of jobs within the line. The possibility of resequencing within the line ranges from 1) offline or intermittent buffers, 2) parallel stations, namely flexible, hybrid or compound flowshops, 3) merging and splitting of parallel lines, 4) re-entrant flowshops, to 5) change job attributes without physically interchanging the position. In continuation the differences in the consideration of static and dynamic demand was studied. Also intermittent setups are possible, depending on the horizon and including the possibility of resequencing, four problem cases were highlighted: static, semi dynamic, nearly dynamic and dynamic case. Finally a general overview was given on existing solution methods, including exact and approximation methods. The approximation methods are furthermore divided in two cases, know as heuristics and methaheuristic

An agent-based genetic algorithm for hybrid flowshops with sequence dependent setup times to minimise makespan

This paper deals with a variant of flowshop scheduling, namely, the hybrid or flexible flowshop with sequence dependent setup times. This type of flowshop is frequently used in the batch production industry and helps reduce the gap between research and operational use. This scheduling problem is NP-hard and solutions for large problems are based on non-exact methods. An improved genetic algorithm (GA) based on software agent design to minimise the makespan is presented. The paper proposes using an inherent characteristic of software agents to create a new perspective in GA design. To verify the developed metaheuristic, computational experiments are conducted on a well-known benchmark problem dataset. The experimental results show that the proposed metaheuristic outperforms some of the well-known methods and the state-of-art algorithms on the same benchmark problem dataset.The translation of this paper was funded by Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Spain.Gómez Gasquet, P.; Andrés Romano, C.; Lario Esteban, FC. (2012). An agent-based genetic algorithm for hybrid flowshops with sequence dependent setup times to minimise makespan. Expert Systems with Applications. 39(9):8095-8107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2012.01.158S8095810739

Models and algorithms for energy-efficient scheduling with immediate start of jobs

We study a scheduling model with speed scaling for machines and the immediate start requirement for jobs. Speed scaling improves the system performance, but incurs the energy cost. The immediate start condition implies that each job should be started exactly at its release time. Such a condition is typical for modern Cloud computing systems with abundant resources. We consider two cost functions, one that represents the quality of service and the other that corresponds to the cost of running. We demonstrate that the basic scheduling model to minimize the aggregated cost function with n jobs is solvable in O(nlogn) time in the single-machine case and in O(n²m) time in the case of m parallel machines. We also address additional features, e.g., the cost of job rejection or the cost of initiating a machine. In the case of a single machine, we present algorithms for minimizing one of the cost functions subject to an upper bound on the value of the other, as well as for finding a Pareto-optimal solution