The increase of the instability of networks due to quasi-static link capacities (Q995558)

In this work, we study the impact of the dynamic changing of the network link capacities on the stability properties of packet-switched networks. Especially, we consider the Adversarial, Quasi-Static Queuing Theory model, where each link capacity may take on only two possible (integer) values, namely 1 and \(C>1\) under a \( (w,\rho) \)-adversary. We obtain the following results: Allowing such dynamic changes to the link capacities of a network with just ten nodes that uses the LIS (Longest-in-System) protocol for contention/resolution results in instability at rates \( \rho>\sqrt2-1 \) and for large enough values of C. The combination of dynamically changing link capacities with compositions of contention-resolution protocols on network queues suffices for similar instability bounds: The composition of LIS with any of SIS (Shortest-in-System), NTS (Nearest-to-Source), and FTG (Furthest-to-Go) protocols is unstable at rates \( \rho>\sqrt2-1 \) for large enough values of C. The instability bound of the network subgraphs that are forbidden for stability is affected by the dynamic changes to the link capacities: we present improved instability bounds for all the directed subgraphs that were known to be forbidden for stability on networks running a certain greedy protocol.