A heuristic approach to performance management in computer networks

Network segmentation, also known as the Network Division Problem, is one of the most effective techniques for computer network performance management. It has been dealt with in recent years by several researchers who have formalised the problem in mathematical terms. The solutions currently available in literature are based on minimisation of certain functionals, called fitness functions which, however, consider a limited number of network parameters, thus privileging only one performance target to the detriment of others. This paper introduces a new fitness function overcoming the limits of existing solutions, as it takes simultaneously into account a wider range of network performance requirements. The paper also provides an optimisation methodology which is then applied to a real operational environment i.e., the network of a large-size industrial plant. Results of a wide series of tests carried out in different typical working scenarios are illustrated and discussed.