Hierarchical Placement and Network Design Problems

In this paper, we give the first constant-approximations for a number of layered network design problems. We begin by modeling hierarchical caching, where caches are placed in layers and each layer satisfies a fixed percentage of the demand (bounded miss rates). We present a constant approximation to the minimum total cost of placing the caches and routing demand through the layers. We extend this model to cover more general layered caching scenarios, giving a constant combinatorial approximation to the well studied multi-level facility location problem. We consider a facility location variant, the Load Balanced Facility Location problem in which every demand is served by a unique facility and each open facility must serve at least a certain amount of demand. By combining Load Balanced Facility Location with our results on hierarchical caching, we give the first constant approximation for the Access Network Design problem.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2000
• Where: FOCS
• Authors: Sudipto Guha, Adam Meyerson, Kamesh Munagala
• Keywords: Facility Location, Facility Location Problem, FOCS 2000, Load Balanced Facility, Theoretical Computer Science