Cell Model of Multidimensional Networks

Abstract

Multidimensional networks are a useful modeling paradigm for representing the newlinemultirelational interactions between entities. Such multirelational interactions newlinefrequently occur in the application domains of computer networks, social networks newlineand multi-modal transit networks. newlineThe thesis incorporates a study of multidimensional networks using both the newlineexisting and the newly proposed methods. The initial focus is on the connections newlineof a multidimensional network. The thesis starts with an analysis of the newlinemeasurement data on the broadband connections of the Indian consumers; newlinethe analysis is used for understanding the characteristics of network connections. newlineThe thesis continues with a demonstration of the multidimensional network newlinemodeling in transit networks. The transit timetable of the Indian Railways newlinenetwork is analyzed as a multidimensional network. To demonstrate the advantages newlineof network analysis on the online communities, a structural analysis of newlinenetwork created from the Internet relay chat (IRC) channel logs is presented. newlineThe thesis lists some of the limitations of the existing network models. The newlineexisting network models have nodes and connections as passive entities. The newlineexisting network models place emphasis on the structural properties of networks; newlinefunctional and behavioural aspects of networks are not accounted for in newlinethe existing network models. To overcome these limitations, the thesis proposes newlinea new network model named the Cell Model. The Cell Model adds functional newlineand behavioural aspects to the existing structural model of a network. The Cell newlineModel makes provisions for the modeling of hierarchical networks. The thesis newlineshows the generality of the Cell Model by showing a representation of the newlineexisting network models using the Cell Model. newlineThe utility of the Cell Model has been demonstrated by solving two research newlineproblems in the areas of network packet traffic analysis and multi-modal transit newlinescheduling. The Cell Model is used to create a protocol analysis software newlinenamed Darshini. Darshini has a protocol an