Optimal protection of general source-sink networks via evolutionary techniques

Jose E. Ramirez-Marquez, Claudio M. Rocco S, Gregory Levitin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents a network optimization model that maximizes the survivability of a network for a specific source-sink flow when resources are allocated to protect network links under an evenly distributed attack strategy. The proposed model takes into account the stochastic behavior of link interdiction by assuming that the vulnerability of an attacked/defended link is determined via a ratio form of the attacker-defender contest success function. The research done as part of this manuscript extends previous network interdiction approaches through an optimization model that relates the defenders'/attackers' per-link resources with link vulnerability values allowing for the defender to consider competing courses of action. Once the network vulnerability model is proposed, the manuscript describes an evolutionary algorithm that can provide optimal defense strategies in networks that follow a source-sink behavior. The results of the extensive experimentation done for different sized networks illustrate that when a defender is faced with an evenly distributed attack his/her defense strategy should take into account the configuration of the network, the source-sink flow and the importance of the different network elements.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1676-1684
Number of pages9
JournalReliability Engineering and System Safety
Volume94
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2009

Keywords

  • Evolutionary optimization
  • Network survivability
  • System protection

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Optimal protection of general source-sink networks via evolutionary techniques'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this