Related papers: Hardness of Distributed Optimization
We investigate graph problems in the following setting: we are given a graph $G$ and we are required to solve a problem on $G^2$. While we focus mostly on exploring this theme in the distributed CONGEST model, we show new results and…
We present the first super-linear lower bounds for natural graph problems in the CONGEST model, answering a long-standing open question. Specifically, we show that any exact computation of a minimum vertex cover or a maximum independent set…
In this work, we initiate a thorough study of parameterized graph optimization problems in the distributed setting. In a parameterized problem, an algorithm decides whether a solution of size bounded by a \emph{parameter} $k$ exists and if…
The maximum independent set problem is a classic optimization problem that has also been studied quite intensively in the distributed setting. While the problem is hard to approximate in general, there are good approximation algorithms…
The $CONGEST$ model for distributed network computing is well suited for analyzing the impact of limiting the throughput of a network on its capacity to solve tasks efficiently. For many "global" problems there exists a lower bound of…
The \emph{Steiner tree} problem is one of the fundamental and classical problems in combinatorial optimization. In this paper, we study this problem in the $\mathcal{CONGESTED}$ $\mathcal{CLIQUE}$ model of distributed computing and present…
We present new distributed algorithms for constructing a Steiner Forest in the CONGEST model. Our deterministic algorithm finds, for any given constant $\epsilon>0$, a $(2+\epsilon)$-approximation in $\tilde{O}(sk+\sqrt{\min(st,n)})$…
We address the fundamental network design problem of constructing approximate minimum spanners. Our contributions are for the distributed setting, providing both algorithmic and hardness results. Our main hardness result shows that an…
The Sparsest Cut is a fundamental optimization problem that has been extensively studied. For planar inputs the problem is in $P$ and can be solved in $\tilde{O}(n^3)$ time if all vertex weights are $1$. Despite a significant amount of…
Given a metric space on n points, an {\alpha}-approximate universal algorithm for the Steiner tree problem outputs a distribution over rooted spanning trees such that for any subset X of vertices containing the root, the expected cost of…
We study the replacement paths problem in the $\mathsf{CONGEST}$ model of distributed computing. Given an $s$-$t$ shortest path $P$, the goal is to compute, for every edge $e$ in $P$, the shortest-path distance from $s$ to $t$ avoiding $e$.…
Recently, Balliu, Brandt, and Olivetti [FOCS '20] showed the first $\omega(\log^* n)$ lower bound for the maximal independent set (MIS) problem in trees. In this work we prove lower bounds for a much more relaxed family of distributed…
In this work, we present an $\Omega\left(\min\{\log \Delta, \sqrt{\log n}\}\right)$ lower bound for Maximal Matching (MM) in $\Delta$-ary trees against randomized algorithms. By a folklore reduction, the same lower bound applies to Maximal…
Many core problems in robotics can be framed as constrained optimization problems. Often on these problems, the robotic system has uncertainty, or it would be advantageous to identify multiple high quality feasible solutions. To enable…
Distributed graph algorithms that separately optimize for either the number of rounds used or the total number of messages sent have been studied extensively. However, algorithms simultaneously efficient with respect to both measures have…
We study the distributed minimum spanning tree (MST) problem, a fundamental problem in distributed computing. It is well-known that distributed MST can be solved in $\tilde{O}(D+\sqrt{n})$ rounds in the standard CONGEST model (where $n$ is…
We develop a new technique for constructing sparse graphs that allow us to prove near-linear lower bounds on the round complexity of computing distances in the CONGEST model. Specifically, we show an $\widetilde{\Omega}(n)$ lower bound for…
We prove several new tight distributed lower bounds for classic symmetry breaking graph problems. As a basic tool, we first provide a new insightful proof that any deterministic distributed algorithm that computes a $\Delta$-coloring on…
Many distributed optimization algorithms achieve existentially-optimal running times, meaning that there exists some pathological worst-case topology on which no algorithm can do better. Still, most networks of interest allow for…
It has been shown that one can design distributed algorithms that are (nearly) singularly optimal, meaning they simultaneously achieve optimal time and message complexity (within polylogarithmic factors), for several fundamental global…