Abstract:
Stochastic network models with all components being observable and controllable have been the focus of classic network optimization theory for decades. However, in modern...Show MoreMetadata
Abstract:
Stochastic network models with all components being observable and controllable have been the focus of classic network optimization theory for decades. However, in modern network systems, it is common that the network controller can only observe and operate on some nodes (i.e., overlay nodes), and the other nodes (i.e., underlay nodes) are neither observable nor controllable. Moreover, the dynamics can be non-stochastic or even adversarial. In this paper, we focus on the network utility maximization (NUM) problem for networks with overlay-underlay structures. The network dynamics, such as packet admissions, external arrivals and control actions of underlay nodes, can be stochastic, non-stochastic or even adversarial. We propose the Tracking Drift-plus-Penalty (TDP*) algorithm that only operates on the overlay nodes and does not require direct observations of the underlay nodes, and analyze the tradeoffs between the average utility and queue backlog. We show that as long as the peak queue backlog of the network is sublinear in time horizon, TDP* can solve the NUM problem, i.e., reaching the maximum utility while preserving stability.
Published in: IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking ( Volume: 32, Issue: 2, April 2024)