Network design techniques using adapted genetic algorithms

In recent years we have evidenced an extensive effort in the development of computer communication networks, which have deeply integrated in human bei ng's everyday life. One of important aspects of the network design process is the topological design problem involved in establishing a communication network, However, with the increase of the problem scale, the conventional techniques are facing the challenge to effectively and efficiently solve th ose complicated network design problems. In this article, we summarized rec ent research works on network design problems by using genetic algorithms ( GAs), including multistage process planning (MPP) problem, fixed charge tra nsportation problem (fc-TP), minimum spanning tree problem, centralized net work design, local area network (LAN) design and shortest path problem. All these problems are illustrated from the point of genetic representation en coding skill and the genetic operators with hybrid strategies. Large quanti ties of numerical experiments show the effectiveness and efficiency of such kind of GA-based approach. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser ved.