Abstract
Free traffic flow on a complex network is key to its normal and efficient functioning. Recent works indicate that many realistic networks possess connecting topologies with a scale-free feature: the probability distribution of the number of links at nodes, or the degree distribution, contains a power-law component. A natural question is then how the topology influences the dynamics of traffic flow on a complex network. Here we present two models to address this question, taking into account the network topology, the information-generating rate, and the information-processing capacity of individual nodes. For each model, we study four kinds of networks: scale-free, random, and regular networks and Cayley trees. In the first model, the capacity of packet delivery of each node is proportional to its number of links, while in the second model, it is proportional to the number of shortest paths passing through the node. We find, in both models, that there is a critical rate of information generation, below which the network traffic is free but above which traffic congestion occurs. Theoretical estimates are given for the critical point. For the first model, scale-free networks and random networks are found to be more tolerant to congestion. For the second model, the congestion condition is independent of network size and topology, suggesting that this model may be practically useful for designing communication protocols.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 026125 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics |
| Volume | 71 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2005 |
Keywords
- world wide web
- phase transitions
- topology
- model
- communication
Cite this
Onset of traffic congestion in complex networks. / Zhao, Liang; Lai, Ying-Cheng; Park, Kwangho; Ye, N .
In: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Vol. 71, No. 2, 026125, 02.2005.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Onset of traffic congestion in complex networks
AU - Zhao, Liang
AU - Lai, Ying-Cheng
AU - Park, Kwangho
AU - Ye, N
PY - 2005/2
Y1 - 2005/2
N2 - Free traffic flow on a complex network is key to its normal and efficient functioning. Recent works indicate that many realistic networks possess connecting topologies with a scale-free feature: the probability distribution of the number of links at nodes, or the degree distribution, contains a power-law component. A natural question is then how the topology influences the dynamics of traffic flow on a complex network. Here we present two models to address this question, taking into account the network topology, the information-generating rate, and the information-processing capacity of individual nodes. For each model, we study four kinds of networks: scale-free, random, and regular networks and Cayley trees. In the first model, the capacity of packet delivery of each node is proportional to its number of links, while in the second model, it is proportional to the number of shortest paths passing through the node. We find, in both models, that there is a critical rate of information generation, below which the network traffic is free but above which traffic congestion occurs. Theoretical estimates are given for the critical point. For the first model, scale-free networks and random networks are found to be more tolerant to congestion. For the second model, the congestion condition is independent of network size and topology, suggesting that this model may be practically useful for designing communication protocols.
AB - Free traffic flow on a complex network is key to its normal and efficient functioning. Recent works indicate that many realistic networks possess connecting topologies with a scale-free feature: the probability distribution of the number of links at nodes, or the degree distribution, contains a power-law component. A natural question is then how the topology influences the dynamics of traffic flow on a complex network. Here we present two models to address this question, taking into account the network topology, the information-generating rate, and the information-processing capacity of individual nodes. For each model, we study four kinds of networks: scale-free, random, and regular networks and Cayley trees. In the first model, the capacity of packet delivery of each node is proportional to its number of links, while in the second model, it is proportional to the number of shortest paths passing through the node. We find, in both models, that there is a critical rate of information generation, below which the network traffic is free but above which traffic congestion occurs. Theoretical estimates are given for the critical point. For the first model, scale-free networks and random networks are found to be more tolerant to congestion. For the second model, the congestion condition is independent of network size and topology, suggesting that this model may be practically useful for designing communication protocols.
KW - world wide web
KW - phase transitions
KW - topology
KW - model
KW - communication
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevE.71.026125
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevE.71.026125
M3 - Article
VL - 71
JO - Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics
JF - Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics
SN - 1063-651X
IS - 2
M1 - 026125
ER -