Combined channel allocation and routing algorithms in packet switched networks

Joint optimization of capacity and flow assignment (CFA) is considered for a least-cost routing and bandwidth allocation in packet switched networks, in which multiple links are modeled by parallel M/M/1 queues. A generic cost-objective function is introduced to reflect both switching and channel costs. Queueing, transmission, nodal processing and propagation delays are all incorporated into the optimization problem. The proposed CFA problem is shown to be a convex optimization problem, thus ensuring a global solution. Furthermore, a more general optimization approach has been developed to circumvent the computational limitation associated with the existing optimization formulation and to capture the discrete nature of channel allocation.