On distributed virtual network embedding with guarantees

To provide wide-area network services, resources from different infrastructure providers are needed. Leveraging the consensus-based resource allocation literature, we propose a general distributed auction mechanism for the (NP-hard) virtual network (VNET) embedding problem. Under reasonable assumptions on the bidding scheme, the proposed mechanism is proven to converge, and it is shown that the solutions guarantee a worst-case efficiency of (1-(1/e)) relative to the optimal node embedding, or VNET embedding if virtual links are mapped to exactly one physical link. This bound is optimal, that is, no better polynomial-time approximation algorithm exists, unless P=NP. Using extensive simulations, we confirm superior convergence properties and resource utilization when compared to existing distributed VNET embedding solutions, and we show how by appropriate policy design, our mechanism can be instantiated to accommodate the embedding goals of different service and infrastructure providers, resulting in an attractive and flexible resource allocation solution.CNS-0963974 - National Science Foundationhttp://www.cs.bu.edu/fac/matta/Papers/ToN-CAD.pdfAccepted manuscrip

Effects of Bans on Heavy Lorries in London: Impacts on Manufacturing & Service Industries

The report evaluates the extent to which representative samples of manu- facturing and service firms drawn from the inner and outer London areas of South Shoreditch and Brimsdown respectively would be affected by proposed bans on 16 ton and 24 ton GVW commercial vehicles within Greater London. The proportion of commercial vehicle trips to and from South Shoreditch firms affected by the bans would be low and one-quarter of the firms would be affected by a 16 ton GW ban. One in five trips to and from Brimsdown firms is currently made by a vehicle in excess of 16 ton GVW, and two-thirds of the sample of firms would be affected. The majority of affected movements are by suppliers' vehicles rather than firms' own fleets. Three firms particularly likely to be affected were examined in more detail, and the implications of their changing to lighter vehicles investigated. A weight-specific 16 ton GVW ban would impose annual operating cost increases on all firms if they were to maintain existing levels of service with their own vehicle fleets. Under a 24 ton GVW ban two firms would incur cost increases while, for the operations considered, there would be a saving in annual operating costs for the third. The assumption that regulations governing vehicle dimensions and carrying capacity remain unaltered is crucial to the conclusions. Night time 16 ton and 24 ton GVW bans would affect a minority of firms, although the duration of the ban would be important. Weekend bans would not significantly affect the firms

IO table containing industries and size-classes; functional design document

One of the data-inputs for simulations of EIM's PRISMA-model is the input output (IO) table for the base-year of the simulation. PRISMA is an economic macro-sector model designed to produce results on SMEs in the Netherlands consistent with those produced by the current macro-sector model of CPB, Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis. PRISMA is used for forecasting, scenario building and what-if analyses with respect to government policies and exogenous shocks. Its time horizon is 3-25 years. At present, the Dutch statistical institute does not publish an IO-table that simultaneously distinguishes firms by sector and firm size. As such a distinction is required for PRISMA it should be constructed separately. This paper presents the design of the table.