Switched queueing networks model wireless networks, input queued switches and
numerous other networked communications systems. For single-hop networks, we
consider a {(α,g)-switch policy} which combines the MaxWeight policies
with bandwidth sharing networks -- a further well studied model of Internet
congestion. We prove the maximum stability property for this class of
randomized policies. Thus these policies have the same first order behavior as
the MaxWeight policies. However, for multihop networks some of these
generalized polices address a number of critical weakness of the
MaxWeight/BackPressure policies.
For multihop networks with fixed routing, we consider the Proportional
Scheduler (or (1,log)-policy). In this setting, the BackPressure policy is
maximum stable, but must maintain a queue for every route-destination, which
typically grows rapidly with a network's size. However, this proportionally
fair policy only needs to maintain a queue for each outgoing link, which is
typically bounded in number. As is common with Internet routing, by maintaining
per-link queueing each node only needs to know the next hop for each packet and
not its entire route. Further, in contrast to BackPressure, the Proportional
Scheduler does not compare downstream queue lengths to determine weights, only
local link information is required. This leads to greater potential for
decomposed implementations of the policy. Through a reduction argument and an
entropy argument, we demonstrate that, whilst maintaining substantially less
queueing overhead, the Proportional Scheduler achieves maximum throughput
stability.Comment: 28 page