Resource allocation and capacity assignment in distributed systems

This paper considers the problem of assigning computers, database files and communication facilities in Distributed Computing Systems. A comprehensive mathematical model is presented that incorporates the trade-offs involved in the design of computer networks and database files. An efficient heuristic procedure is developed that considers simultaneously the allocation of computers, database files, programs for generating query reports, and communiction facilities. Heuristic solutions for a variety of test problems are presented and compared with various benchmarks.