DESIGN OF A DISTRIBUTED FIBER TRANSPORT NETWORK WITH HUBBING TOPOLOGY

This paper deals with the comprehensive design of a distributed networ k, whose structure includes a large-scale fiber transport network wher e switching centers are interconnected via optical fiber cable, For re al-world applicability, this design study covers in an integrated fram ework all three major decision sets: locating hub facilities, placing conduits and installing cables therein. The complex problem is formula ted as a simple variant of the classical network design model by judic iously redefining commodity-flows. Exploiting the special structure of the problem, a dual-based heuristic is then developed which yields ne ar-optimal design plans. Computational experiments show that the perfo rmance of the proposed heuristic is satisfactory in both speed and the quality of the design solutions generated. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.