Location of computers and multiple files in distributed computer systems

  • Authors:

  • E. P. Robinson, Jr.;L. -L. Gao

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Business Analysis and Research Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A.;Department of Management Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11550, U.S.A.

  • Venue:
  • Mathematical and Computer Modelling: An International Journal
  • Year:
  • 1994

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Abstract

Advances in computer and communications technology have led to increased use of distributed computer systems which utilize communications channels to interconnect geographically separated users, computer facilities, and data files into integrated information networks. In designing and controlling such a system, one must decide on the number and location of computer facilities, the allocation of multiple data files to facilities, and the user access paths to the data files. A mixed-integer programming formulation and dual-based solution procedure for this problem are described, and the results of computational experiments with realistic-sized problems are reported. Optimal solutions for problems with approximately 2,000 integer decision variables and 76,000 continuous decision variables are found in less than 30 CPU seconds, demonstrating the large-scale capability of the model and algorithm. The problem formulation generalizes Casey's File Allocation Problem to include the location of multiple files and computer facilities in a single planning model.