Thesis (M.S.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Title from PDF of title page. Document formatted into pages; contains 62 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis presents several decentralized, learning-based algorithms for on-line routing of bandwidth guaranteed paths. The presented routing algorithms do not need any a-priori knowledge of traffic demand; they use only their locally observed events and update their routing policy using learning schemes. The employed learning algorithms are either learning automata or the multi-armed bandit algorithms. We investigate the asymptotic behavior of the proposed routing algorithms and prove the convergence of one of them to the user equilibrium. Discrete event simulation results show the merit of these algorithms in terms of improving the resource utilization and increasing the network admissibility compared with shortest path routing. / We investigate the performance degradation due to decentralized routing as opposed to centralized optimal routing policies in practical scenarios. The system optimal and the Nash bargaining solutions are two centralized benchmarks used in this study. We provide nonlinear programming formulations of these problems along with a distributed recursive approach to compute the solutions. An on-line partially-decentralized control architecture is also proposed to achieve the system optimal and the Nash bargaining solution performances. Numerical results in some practical scenarios with well engineered networks, where the network resources and traffic demand are well matched, indicate that decentralized learning techniques provide efficient, stable and scalable approaches for routing the bandwidth guaranteed paths. / In the context of on-line learning, we propose a new algorithm to track the best action-selection policy when it abruptly changes over time. The proposed algorithm employs change detection mechanisms to detect the sudden changes and restarts the learning process on the detection of an abrupt change. The performance analysis of this study reveals that when all the changes are detectable by the change detection mechanism, the proposed tracking the best action-selection policy algorithm is rate optimal. On-line routing of bandwidth guaranteed paths with the potential occurrence of network shocks such as significant changes in the traffic demand is one of the applications of the devised algorithm. Simulation results show the merit of the proposed algorithm in tracking the optimal routing policy when it abruptly changes.

As Multi-Protocol Label Switched (MPLS) networks increase in usage and size, the number of traffic engineered tunnels or Label Switched Paths (LSPs) which must be established has an impact on network state maintenance, administration and scalability. The ability to signal and meet Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements in such networks has been addressed through the addition of Differentiated Services (Diff-Serv) mappings and other traffic engineering mechanisms. However, for the purpose of path computation, route advertisements, signaling and admission control, multiple traffic classes carried together are still treated as a single class. This work explores extensions to MPLS which allow for the accommodation of up to eight distinct traffic classes per label switched path. Through an examination of simulation results. a comparison between existing methods and the proposed additions is made that shows scenarios in which such traffic class aggregation or "bundling" provides a significant reduction in the number of paths which must be maintained in the network.

Thesis (M. App. Sc.)--Carleton University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 122-126). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--Carleton University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-101). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 90-94). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

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Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a routing technology which can manage Quality of Service (QoS) in scalable connectionless networks using relatively simple packet forwarding mechanisms. This thesis considers the optimisation of the QoS offered by an MPLS network. The QoS measure used is the expected packet delay which is minimised by switching packets along optimal label switched paths (LSPs). Two mathematical models of MPLS networks are presented together with appropriate algorithms for optimally dividing the network traffic into forwarding equivalence classes (FECs), finding optimal LSPs which minimise the expected packet delay and switching these FECs along the optimal LSPs. These algorithms are applied to compute optimal LSPs for several test networks. The mathematics on which these algorithms are based is also reviewed. This thesis provides the MPLS network operator with efficient packet routing algorithms for optimising the network's QoS. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is 'n roeteringsmetode om die diensvlak (QoS) van 'n skaleerbare, verbindinglose netwerk te bestuur deur middel van relatief eenvoudige versendingsmeganismes. Hierdie tesis beskou die optimering van die QoS van 'n MPLS-netwerk. Die QoS-maatstaf is die verwagte vert raging van 'n netwerk-pakkie. Dit word geminimeer deur pakkies langs optimale "label switched paths" (LSPs) te stuur. Twee wiskundige modelle van MPLS-netwerke word ondersoek. Toepaslike algoritmes word verskaf vir die optimale verdeling van die netwerkverkeer in "forwarding equivalence classes" (FECs), die soektog na optimale LSPs (wat die verwagte pakkie-vertraging minimeer) en die stuur van die FECs langs die optimale LSPs. Hierdie algoritmes word ingespan om optimale LSPs vir verskeie toetsnetwerke op te stel. Die wiskundige teorie waarop hierdie algoritmes gegrond is, word ook hersien. Hierdie tesis verskaf doeltreffende roeteringsalgoritmes waarmee 'n MPLS-netwerkbestuurderj-es die netwerk se QoS kan optimeer.