A new network state information updating policy using fuzzy tolerance classes and fuzzified precision

Abstract

Maintaining global network state information with unlimited precision in a dynamic large-scale network is practically impossible. The nature and the level of the inevitable imprecision vary significantly when different policies are used for updating the global network state information. This has a direct effect on the routing decisions and the network performance. We discuss the concept of precision of a network state, presenting a model for the impossibility of reaching, not only unlimited precision, but also the desired level of precision. We propose a novel network state updating policy to achieve two goals: bounded imprecision and much lower overhead by its ability to impede frequently unneeded updates without the need for a hold-down timer. The proposed policy is based on overlapping fuzzy tolerance classes and is partitioning-mechanism-independent. Hence, it can be used on top of currently available class-based policies.