Integrating heuristic knowledge and optimization models for communication network design

A method is developed for integrating heuristic design knowledge with optimization models to create a tool for the topological design of computer communication networks. Design choices are based on suggestions from optimization models, as well as heuristic knowledge, which interact through a blackboard. A truth maintenance system (TMS) records justification for current design choices, as well as promising alternatives. A dependency-directed backtracking mechanism works with the TMS to choose other alternatives as warranted. This hybrid tool can consider a wider range of design requirements than is possible using one type of knowledge alone, is flexible in handling variations in these requirements, and has a modular structure which facilitates incremental refinement. Computational results on separate networks show it is effective in identifying good low-cost solutions