Optimal file allocation in a tree network with system failure allowed

Abstract

One of the important features of distributed computing systems(DCSs) is the possibility of having high reliability. When the hardware configuration of a DCS is fixed, the system reliability mainly depends on the allocation of various resources such as various files. This thesis considers a file allocation problem for maximizing the system reliability of a DCS in a situation where a DCS has a tree network structure, each file is unique, and nodes and links are both subject to stochastic failures. In the analysis, the proposed file allocation problem is decomposed into two subproblems including a bin packing problem and a cardinality rooted tree problem. An optimal two phase algorithm is proposed for the file allocation problems. Numerical problems are solved to evaluate the efficiency of the algorithm.