Active Multi-Population Pattern Searching Algorithm for flow optimization in computer networks – The novel coevolution schema combined with linkage learning

• The proposition of new effective evolutionary method dedicated to solve flow optimization problems in computer networks.
• The proposition of new flexible virus population handling mechanisms in novel MuPPetS method.
• Tests performed for practical problem with very large search space.

The main objective of this paper is to propose an effective evolutionary method for solving the problem of working paths optimization in survivable MPLS network. The paper focuses on existing network, in which only network flow can be optimized to provide network survivability using the local repair strategy. The problem is NP-complete, the solution space of the test cases is large and many genes are required to code the potential solution. Recently, the MuPPetS method (Multi-Population Pattern Searching Algorithm for Flow Assignment) was proposed and seems to be a promising tool for tackling high-dimensional, hard optimization problems. The MuPPetS is a linkage learning method that minimizes the negative effects of typical EA bottlenecks, e.g., preconvergence and significant effectiveness dropdown caused by an increasing number of genes in the chromosome. In comparison to other evolutionary methods, the MuPPetS was shown to be effective and capable of solving GA-hard problems. Therefore, the proposed MuPPetS-FuN method (Multi-Population Pattern Searching Algorithm for Flow Assignment in Non-bifurcated Commodity Flow) is based on MuPPetS. The additional objective of this paper is to propose changes to general MuPPetS framework to increase its effectiveness via better subpopulation number control strategy.