FANC · A Faster Approach to Network Control
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2019-01-01 → 2022-06-02
- EU contribution
- €248,063
- Participants
- 2
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
A Faster Approach to Network Control
This project is about network control (NC) algorithms, a subclass of control algorithms used extensively in network resource allocation problems. In the last years, NC algorithms have been designed at the same pace as new services were available (e.g., video streaming, VoIP). However, the increasing complexity of data networks and the diversity of services offered are making NC algorithms slow and complicated to design, and as a result, less effective in practice. In this project, we want to move away from the slow and complex approach used nowadays in NC (i.e., making a new mathematical model and algorithm for each problem) and move towards a simpler, faster, and more accessible approach that is more effective in practice. Or, in short, a Faster Approach to Network Control (FANC). We will achieve this by combining mathematics and software. Specifically, we will (i) develop a unified theoretical framework that abstracts previous approaches in the literature, and (ii) design a software package that allows us to use the mathematical framework in a high-level or ‘black box’ approach. The software package will provide a simple language to describe/model new NC problems, and it will generate a software controller tailored to the specific problem.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
This project is about network control (NC) algorithms, a subclass of control algorithms that are used in scheduling, congestion control, or more generally, in resource allocation problems in networks. In the last years, NC algorithms have been designed at the same pace as new services were available (e.g. video streaming, VoIP). However, this is becoming increasingly difficult. The increasing complexity of data networks and the diversity of services offered are making NC algorithms slow and complicated to design, and as a result, less effective in practice. For instance, it can take months to develop a new NC algorithm. In this project, we aim to change the paradigm in which NC algorithms are designed. We want to move away from the current 'paper and pencil' approach and go towards a much faster method using software. In particular, we want to use recent breakthroughs in the areas of optimisation and networking to: (i) develop a new mathematical framework that abstracts previous solutions, and (ii) create a software package that allows us to use the framework in a simple and fast way (i.e. model NC problems and generate algorithms). That is, the software package will make possible to use the framework in a simple language, which will speed up the modelling of NC problems. This project is important because it will make possible to deliver future services on time while using network resources efficiently, but also because it connects solid theory developed in academia with real problems addressed by industry. During the last phase of the project, we will collaborate with an industry research lab (NEC) to exploit the project results.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN · DublinCoordinatorIreland
- YALE UNIVERSITY · New HavenUnited States
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union