Abstract: A technique for generating interconnect fabric requirements. The technique programmatically generates an interconnect design problem based on criteria specified by a user. In one aspect, a computer implemented method is provided for generating an interconnect fabric design problem. The problem includes requirements for a plurality of flows among a set of network nodes. A source node and a terminal node are selected, from among the set of network nodes, for a flow to be added to the requirements. A maximum capacity available at the selected source node and the selected terminal node is determined. The flow is generated having a capacity less than or equal to the lower of the maximum capacity of the source node and the terminal node. Depending upon the input criteria, the invention may generate problems with greater flexibility than prior techniques.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method of designing the racking configuration for boxes in racks and for determining which connections go between different racks, including: solving a rack select optimization sub-problem to determine racks to use; and solving a rack assign optimization sub-problem to determine which particular rack will hold a particular box. In another embodiment, an apparatus for designing the racking configuration for boxes in racks and for determining which connections go between different racks, including: a machine-readable representation for a racking configuration problem; and a solver that can read that machine-readable representation and that is configured to: solve a rack select optimization sub-problem to determine at least one rack to use; and solve a rack assign optimization sub-problem to determine which particular rack will hold at least one box.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for designing a network with a given set of network flow requirements, each flow requirement having a source, a destination and a bandwidth. The method comprises the steps of assigning each flow to a port on its associated source and destination, determining the partition of source and destination ports into port groups which are disjoint sets, and generating network modules to support the assignment of flows by using an appropriate interconnected combination of links, hubs and switches. The design of the module accounts for the relative costs of the links, hubs and switches and finds the allocation and subsequent module design that produces a cost effective interconnection fabric that supports all flow requirements.

Abstract: A technique for providing reliability to an interconnect fabric for communication among a set of nodes. The technique may be used to efficiently and programmatically produce a cost-effective interconnect fabric having a degree of reliability over a range of design problems. In one aspect, ports associated with each node are partitioned into a first set of ports and a second set of ports. A primary interconnect fabric is formed among the first set of ports in response to a set of flow requirements and a backup interconnect fabric is formed among the second set of ports. The backup interconnect fabric carries a portion of communications carried by the primary fabric so as to protect against a failure of an element in the primary fabric.

Abstract: A method for generating a demand estimate for a product includes gathering a set of auction data which is relevant to the product, removing from the auction data all but a highest bid from each unique bidder in the auction data, and correcting a bias in the auction data caused by a set of characteristics of an auction from which the auction data is obtained. In one embodiment, the auction data is obtained from an on-line auction which is characterized by bidders not necessarily knowing the start time of the auction.

Abstract: A technique for providing reliability to an interconnect fabric for communication among a set of nodes. Ports associated with each node are partitioned into a first set of ports and a second set of ports. A first interconnect fabric is formed among the first set of ports for each node in response to a set of flow requirements. A second interconnect fabric is formed among the second set of ports. Reliability is enhanced because, in the event of a failure of any single element of the first interconnect fabric, the flows among the nodes can still be achieved by the second interconnect fabric.

Abstract: A method for designing an interconnect fabric for communication between a set of source nodes and a set of terminal nodes. The method partitions the flow requirements of the interconnect fabric into flow-sets and merges the flow-sets to reduce insensibilities with respect to available ports on source and terminal nodes while taking into account costs and feasibility of implementation.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method of designing the racking configuration for boxes in racks and for determining which connections go between different racks, including: solving a rack select optimization sub-problem to determine racks to use; and solving a rack assign optimization sub-problem to determine which particular rack will hold a particular box. In another embodiment, an apparatus for designing the racking configuration for boxes in racks and for determining which connections go between different racks, including: a machine-readable representation for a racking configuration problem; and a solver that can read that machine-readable representation and that is configured to: solve a rack select optimization sub-problem to determine at least one rack to use; and solve a rack assign optimization sub-problem to determine which particular rack will hold at least one box.

Abstract: A technique for verifying an interconnect fabric design for interconnecting a plurality of network nodes. A design for the interconnect fabric specifies an arrangement of elements of the fabric and flow requirements among the network nodes. The invention programmatically verifies that the flow requirements are satisfied by the design and that the design does not violate constraints on the elements, such as available bandwidth or number of ports. This may also include determining whether the network can continue to satisfy the flow requirements in the event of one or more failures of elements of the interconnect fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for designing a network with a given set of network flow requirements, each flow requirement having a source, a destination and a bandwidth. The method comprises the steps of assigning each flow to a port on its associated source and destination, determining the partition of source and destination ports into port groups which are disjoint sets, and generating network modules to support the assignment of flows by using an appropriate interconnected combination of links, hubs and switches. The design of the module accounts for the relative costs of the links, hubs and switches and finds the allocation and subsequent module design that produces a cost effective interconnection fabric that supports all flow requirements.

Abstract: A method for generating a demand estimate for a product includes gathering a set of auction data which is relevant to the product, removing from the auction data all but a highest bid from each unique bidder in the auction data, and correcting a bias in the auction data caused by a set of characteristics of an auction from which the auction data is obtained. In one embodiment, the auction data is obtained from an on-line auction which is characterized by bidders not necessarily knowing the start time of the auction.

Abstract: A technique for providing reliability to an interconnect fabric for communication among a set of nodes. Ports associated with each node are partitioned into a first set of ports and a second set of ports. A first interconnect fabric is formed among the first set of ports for each node in response to a set of flow requirements. A second interconnect fabric is formed among the second set of ports. Reliability is enhanced because, in the event of a failure of any single element of the first interconnect fabric, the flows among the nodes can still be achieved by the second interconnect fabric.

Abstract: A technique for providing reliability to an interconnect fabric for communication among a set of nodes. The technique may be used to efficiently and programmatically produce a cost-effective interconnect fabric having a degree of reliability over a range of design problems. In one aspect, ports associated with each node are partitioned into a first set of ports and a second set of ports. A primary interconnect fabric is formed among the first set of ports in response to a set of flow requirements and a backup interconnect fabric is formed among the second set of ports.