Tradeoffs in routing reconfiguration problems

International audienceNous étudions le problème du reroutage d'un ensemble de connexion dans un réseau. Il consiste à passer d'un routage initial (ensemble de chemins reliant des paires de noeuds) à un autre, en traitant séquentiellement chaque connexion. Il est parfois indispensable d'en interrompre temporairement certaines au cours du processus de reconfiguration, ce qui nous amène à étudier les compromis possibles entre deux mesures d'efficacité : le nombre total de connexions interrompues et le nombre maximum de connexions interrompues simultanément. Nous prouvons qu'établir de tels compromis mène à des problèmes NP-complets et difficiles à approcher (APX-difficiles voir non APX). Nous montrons ensuite que de bons compromis sont impossibles en général. Enfin, nous exhibons une classe d'instances de reroutage pour laquelle il est possible de minimiser le nombre de requêtes interrompues simultanément sans "trop" augmenter le nombre total de connexions interrompues. Ces résultats sont obtenus en modélisant ce problème par un jeu à l'aide d'agents mobiles

Tradeoffs in routing reconfiguration problems

International audienceNous étudions le problème du reroutage d'un ensemble de connexion dans un réseau. Il consiste à passer d'un routage initial (ensemble de chemins reliant des paires de noeuds) à un autre, en traitant séquentiellement chaque connexion. Il est parfois indispensable d'en interrompre temporairement certaines au cours du processus de reconfiguration, ce qui nous amène à étudier les compromis possibles entre deux mesures d'efficacité : le nombre total de connexions interrompues et le nombre maximum de connexions interrompues simultanément. Nous prouvons qu'établir de tels compromis mène à des problèmes NP-complets et difficiles à approcher (APX-difficiles voir non APX). Nous montrons ensuite que de bons compromis sont impossibles en général. Enfin, nous exhibons une classe d'instances de reroutage pour laquelle il est possible de minimiser le nombre de requêtes interrompues simultanément sans "trop" augmenter le nombre total de connexions interrompues. Ces résultats sont obtenus en modélisant ce problème par un jeu à l'aide d'agents mobiles

Efficient Make Before Break Capacity Defragmentation

International audienceOptical multilayer optimization continuously reorganizes layer 0-1-2 network elements to handle both existing and dynamic traffic requirements in the most efficient manner. This delays the need to add new resources for new requests, saving CAPEX and leads to optical network defragmentation. The focus of this paper is on Layer 2, i.e., on capacity de-fragmentation at the OTN layer when routes (e.g., LSPs in MPLS networks) are making unnecessarily long detours to evade congestion. Reconfiguration into optimized routes can be achieved by redefining the routes, one at a time, so that they use the vacant resources generated by the disappearance of services using part of a path that transits the congested section. For the Quality of Service, it is desirable to operate under Make Before Break (MBB), with the minimum number of rerouting. The challenge is to identify the rerouting order, one connection at a time, while minimizing the bandwidth requirement. We propose an exact and scalable optimization model for computing a minimum bandwidth rerouting scheme subject to MBB in the OTN layer of an optical network. Numerical results show that we can successfully apply it on networks with up to 30 nodes, a very significant improvement with the state of the art. We also provide some defragmentation analysis in terms of the bandwidth requirement vs. the number of reroutings

Efficient Make-Before-Break Layer 2 Reoptimization

International audienceOptical multilayer optimization periodically reorganizes layer 0-1-2 network elements to handle both existing and dynamic traffic requirements in the most efficient manner. This delays the need for adding new resources in order to cope with the evolution of the traffic, thus saving CAPEX.The focus of this paper is on Layer 2, i.e., on capacity reoptimization at the optical transport network (OTN) layer when routes (e.g., LSPs in MPLS networks) are making unnecessarily long detours to evade congestion. Reconfiguration into optimized routes can be achieved by redefining the routes, one at a time, so that they use the vacant resources generated by the disappearance of services using part of a path that transits the congested section. To maintain the Quality of Service, it is desirable to operate under a Make-Before-Break (MBB) paradigm, with the minimum number of reroutings. The challenge is to determine the best rerouting order while minimizing the bandwidth requirement.We propose an exact and scalable optimization model for computing a minimum bandwidth rerouting scheme subject to MBB in the OTN layer of an optical network. Numerical results show that we can successfully apply it on networks with up to 30 nodes, a very significant improvement with respect to the state of the art. We also provide some reoptimization analysis in terms of the bandwidth requirement vs. the number of reroutings

Minimum Disturbance Rerouting to Optimize Bandwidth Usage

International audienceDynamic traffic leads to bandwidth fragmentation, which drastically reduces network performance, resulting in increased blocking rate and reduced bandwidth usage. When rerouting traffic flows at Layer 3 of an optical network, network operators are interested in minimizing the disturbances in order to satisfy their Service Level Agreements. Therefore, they turn to the Make-Before-Break (MBB) paradigm.In this paper, we revisit MBB rerouting with the objective of identifying the reroute sequence planning that minimizes the number of reroutes in order to minimize the resource usage. We propose a Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition mathematical model to solve this complex rerouting problem. We instigate how multiple or parallel rerouting reduces the overall minimum number of rerouting events (shortest makespan), and achieve the best resource usage. Numerical results bring interesting insights on that question and show a computational time reduction by about one order of magnitude over the state of the art

New Models and Algorithms in Telecommunication Networks

The telecommunications industry is growing very fast and frequently faces technological developments. Due to the competition between service providers and high expected reliability from their customers, they should be able first, to migrate their networks to the novel advancements in order to be able to meet their customers’ latest requirements and second, to optimally use the resources in order to maximize their profitability. Many researchers have studied different scenarios for Network Migration Problem (NMP). In these studies, a comparison between the legacy and new technologies is investigated in terms of time frames, reduction in expenditures, revenue increases, etc. There have been no prior studies considering the operational costs of NMP e.g., technicians, engineers and travels. The first contribution of the thesis is to propose a two-phase algorithm based on the solution of column generation models that builds a migration plan with minimum overall migration time or cost. The second contribution is an improved decomposition model for NMP by removing the symmetry between the network connections. We apply a branch-and-price algorithm in order to obtain an epsolin-optimal ILP solution. The third contribution of the thesis is to propose a new methodology for Wavelength Defragmentation Problem to recover the capacity of WDM networks in dynamic environments and optimize resource usages. Since rerouting the lightpaths in an arbitrary order may result in a huge number of disruptions, an algorithm based on a nested column generation technique is proposed. The solution is an optimized configuration in terms of resource usage (number of links) that is reachable by no disruptions from the current provisioning. All the algorithms presented in this thesis are based on Column Generation method, a decomposition framework to tackle large-scale optimization problems

Scheduling algorithms for throughput maximization in data networks

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2007.Includes bibliographical references (p. 215-226).This thesis considers the performance implications of throughput optimal scheduling in physically and computationally constrained data networks. We study optical networks, packet switches, and wireless networks, each of which has an assortment of features and constraints that challenge the design decisions of network architects. In this work, each of these network settings are subsumed under a canonical model and scheduling framework. Tools of queueing analysis are used to evaluate network throughput properties, and demonstrate throughput optimality of scheduling and routing algorithms under stochastic traffic. Techniques of graph theory are used to study network topologies having desirable throughput properties. Combinatorial algorithms are proposed for efficient resource allocation. In the optical network setting, the key enabling technology is wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), which allows each optical fiber link to simultaneously carry a large number of independent data streams at high rate. To take advantage of this high data processing potential, engineers and physicists have developed numerous technologies, including wavelength converters, optical switches, and tunable transceivers.(cont.) While the functionality provided by these devices is of great importance in capitalizing upon the WDM resources, a major challenge exists in determining how to configure these devices to operate efficiently under time-varying data traffic. In the WDM setting, we make two main contributions. First, we develop throughput optimal joint WDM reconfiguration and electronic-layer routing algorithms, based on maxweight scheduling. To mitigate the service disruption associated with WDM reconfiguration, our algorithms make decisions at frame intervals. Second, we develop analytic tools to quantify the maximum throughput achievable in general network settings. Our approach is to characterize several geometric features of the maximum region of arrival rates that can be supported in the network. In the packet switch setting, we observe through numerical simulation the attractive throughput properties of a simple maximal weight scheduler. Subsequently, we consider small switches, and analytically demonstrate the attractive throughput properties achievable using maximal weight scheduling. We demonstrate that such throughput properties may not be sustained in larger switches.(cont.) In the wireless network setting, mesh networking is a promising technology for achieving connectivity in local and metropolitan area networks. Wireless access points and base stations adhering to the IEEE 802.11 wireless networking standard can be bought off the shelf at little cost, and can be configured to access the Internet in minutes. With ubiquitous low-cost Internet access perceived to be of tremendous societal value, such technology is naturally garnering strong interest. Enabling such wireless technology is thus of great importance. An important challenge in enabling mesh networks, and many other wireless network applications, results from the fact that wireless transmission is achieved by broadcasting signals through the air, which has the potential for interfering with other parts of the network. Furthermore, the scarcity of wireless transmission resources implies that link activation and packet routing should be effected using simple distributed algorithms. We make three main contributions in the wireless setting. First, we determine graph classes under which simple, distributed, maximal weight schedulers achieve throughput optimality.(cont.) Second, we use this acquired knowledge of graph classes to develop combinatorial algorithms, based on matroids, for allocating channels to wireless links, such that each channel can achieve maximum throughput using simple distributed schedulers. Third, we determine new conditions under which distributed algorithms for joint link activation and routing achieve throughput optimality.by Andrew Brzezinski.Ph.D

Optical flow switched networks

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2009.Includes bibliographical references (p. 253-279).In the four decades since optical fiber was introduced as a communications medium, optical networking has revolutionized the telecommunications landscape. It has enabled the Internet as we know it today, and is central to the realization of Network-Centric Warfare in the defense world. Sustained exponential growth in communications bandwidth demand, however, is requiring that the nexus of innovation in optical networking continue, in order to ensure cost-effective communications in the future. In this thesis, we present Optical Flow Switching (OFS) as a key enabler of scalable future optical networks. The general idea behind OFS-agile, end-to-end, all-optical connections-is decades old, if not as old as the field of optical networking itself. However, owing to the absence of an application for it, OFS remained an underdeveloped idea-bereft of how it could be implemented, how well it would perform, and how much it would cost relative to other architectures. The contributions of this thesis are in providing partial answers to these three broad questions. With respect to implementation, we address the physical layer design of OFS in the metro-area and access, and develop sensible scheduling algorithms for OFS communication. Our performance study comprises a comparative capacity analysis for the wide-area, as well as an analytical approximation of the throughput-delay tradeoff offered by OFS for inter-MAN communication. Lastly, with regard to the economics of OFS, we employ an approximate capital expenditure model, which enables a throughput-cost comparison of OFS with other prominent candidate architectures. Our conclusions point to the fact that OFS offers significant advantage over other architectures in economic scalability.(cont.) In particular, for sufficiently heavy traffic, OFS handles large transactions at far lower cost than other optical network architectures. In light of the increasing importance of large transactions in both commercial and defense networks, we conclude that OFS may be crucial to the future viability of optical networking.by Guy E. Weichenberg.Ph.D