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The book Optimization of computer networks. Modeling and algorithms. A hands-on approach is devoted to the development of models and algorithms for communication networks.
- Modeling consists in representing network problems like routing, capacity assignment, congestion control or topology design, as optimization problems, where network metrics like the cost, the fairness in resource allocation or other performances are maximized or minimized. Optimization theory will give insights on how the problem optimum looks like. Models can be solved numerically using solvers.
- Two types of algorithms are exposed:
- Gradient-based algorithms suitable for a distributed implementation of network control problems where nodes asynchronously exchange signaling information which can be subject to delays, losses or noisy observations of the network. These algorithms inspire and explain the operation of multiple distributed network protocols, and also the mechanisms to coordinate different protocols among them e.g. in cross-layer approaches.
- Heuristic based algorithms for solving network problems in a centralized form. These algorithms can be ran without major time constraints (e.g. minutes), and are used e.g. for long-term capacity planning or topology design problems, for which polynomial approximations do not exist.
Net2Plan
Following a hands-on approach, the reader will have access to a large set of examples in real-life technologies like IP, wireless and optical networks, and also examples for general technology-agnostic problems. These examples take the form of Net2Plan algorithms and reports (Net2Plan 0.4.0 or above is needed). Thanks to Net2Plan, the reader will be able to see how the lessons learned take real form in models and algorithms, and reuse, modify and/or execute them to obtain numerical solutions to their problems of interest.
Since all the book examples are already built-in in Net2Plan, the reader can access them without the need of installing any extra software. Just click and run.
The Net2Plan documentation is fully included in the Net2Plan release, and also accessible through the Help menu in the graphical interface. Also, the full Javadoc documentation is accessible online here
Inside the documentation, take a special look to:
- For initial instructions on how to install, and use Net2Plan, see the Net2Plan user's guide
- See the list of Net2Plan resources, indexed respect to the book sections and the exercises where they are explained.
- See the list of Net2Plan resources, indexed respect to some keywords describing them.
- For the people interested in repeating the tests appearing in the book, and producing the graphs shown, see the links to MATLAB scripts that can produce the graphs, inside the algorithm description (Javadoc).
So get hands-on with network optimization!!
