Abstract: A method for increasing the total capacity of a network, the network including a first plurality of communication edges interconnecting a second plurality or communication nodes, the first plurality of communication edges and the second plurality of communication nodes having corresponding first and second pluralities of capacity values respectively, the first and second pluralities of capacity values determining the total capacity of the network. The method includes expanding the capacity value of at last an individual communication edge from among the first plurality of communication edges, the individual edge connecting first and second communication nodes from among the second plurality of communication nodes, without expanding the capacity value of the first communication node, wherein the expanding step includes reducing the capacity value of at least one additional communication edge connecting the first communication node and a third node, different from the second node.