Toward an Optimization-Driven Framework for Designing and Generating Realistic Internet Topologies

Abstract

We propose a novel approach to the study of Internet topology in which we use an optimization framework to model the mechanisms driving incremental growth. While previous methods of topology generation have focused on explicit replication of statistical properties, such as node hierarchies and node degree distributions, our approach addresses the economic tradeoffs, such as cost and performance, and the technical constraints faced by a single ISP in its network design. By investigating plausible objectives and constraints in the design of actual networks, observed network properties such as certain hierarchical structures and node degree distributions can be expected to be the natural by-product of an approximately optimal solution chosen by network designers and operators. In short, we advocate here essentially an approach to network topology design, modeling, and generation that is based on the concept of Highly Optimized Tolerance (HOT). In contrast with purely descriptive topology modeling, this opens up new areas of research that focus on the causal forces at work in network design and aim at identifying the economic and technical drivers responsible for the observed large-scale network behavior. As a result, the proposed approach should have significantly more predictive power than currently pursued efforts and should provide a scientific foundation for the investigation of other important problems, such as pricing, peering, or the dynamics of routing protocols.

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