Open Access

ARTICLE

Improving Network Availability through Optimized Multipath Routing and Incremental Deployment Strategies

Wei Zhang¹, Haijun Geng^2,*

1 Computer Application Teaching and Research Section, China University of Labor Relations, Beijing, 100048, China
2 School of Automation and Software Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China

* Corresponding Author: Haijun Geng. Email:

Computers, Materials & Continua 2024, 80(1), 427-448. https://doi.org/10.32604/cmc.2024.051871

Received 18 March 2024; Accepted 10 May 2024; Issue published 18 July 2024

Abstract

Currently, distributed routing protocols are constrained by offering a single path between any pair of nodes, thereby limiting the potential throughput and overall network performance. This approach not only restricts the flow of data but also makes the network susceptible to failures in case the primary path is disrupted. In contrast, routing protocols that leverage multiple paths within the network offer a more resilient and efficient solution. Multipath routing, as a fundamental concept, surpasses the limitations of traditional shortest path first protocols. It not only redirects traffic to unused resources, effectively mitigating network congestion, but also ensures load balancing across the network. This optimization significantly improves network utilization and boosts the overall performance, making it a widely recognized efficient method for enhancing network reliability. To further strengthen network resilience against failures, we introduce a routing scheme known as Multiple Nodes with at least Two Choices (MNTC). This innovative approach aims to significantly enhance network availability by providing each node with at least two routing choices. By doing so, it not only reduces the dependency on a single path but also creates redundant paths that can be utilized in case of failures, thereby enhancing the overall resilience of the network. To ensure the optimal placement of nodes, we propose three incremental deployment algorithms. These algorithms carefully select the most suitable set of nodes for deployment, taking into account various factors such as node connectivity, traffic patterns, and network topology. By deploying MNTC on a carefully chosen set of nodes, we can significantly enhance network reliability without the need for a complete overhaul of the existing infrastructure. We have conducted extensive evaluations of MNTC in diverse topological spaces, demonstrating its effectiveness in maintaining high network availability with minimal path stretch. The results are impressive, showing that even when implemented on just 60% of nodes, our incremental deployment method significantly boosts network availability. This underscores the potential of MNTC in enhancing network resilience and performance, making it a viable solution for modern networks facing increasing demands and complexities. The algorithms OSPF, TBFH, DC and LFC perform fast rerouting based on strict conditions, while MNTC is not restricted by these conditions. In five real network topologies, the average network availability of MNTC is improved by 14.68%, 6.28%, 4.76% and 2.84%, respectively, compared with OSPF, TBFH, DC and LFC.

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Keywords

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