NEWCLUST: An Algorithm for the Topological Design of Two-Level, Multidrop Teleprocessing Networks

A new heuristic algorithm for the design of multidrop teleprocessing networks with concentrators is presented. The algorithm selects a set of candidate concentrator locations by using a clustering procedure and then obtains the final concentrator locations by a "drop" routine. The use of the terminal clusters, called "super-nodes", instead of the terminals themselves, in the cost optimization procedure, yields designs having smaller costs and much smaller execution times compared to the ones obtained by two other well-known heuristics.