Strategic Formation of Heterogeneous Networks

TL;DR

This paper models the Internet's AS interconnection as a heterogeneous network formation game, analyzing static and dynamic properties, and explaining observed network motifs with real-world data.

Contribution

It introduces a novel game-theoretic model for heterogeneous AS networks, incorporating utility, transfers, and reliability, with dynamic analysis and real-world validation.

Findings

Explains prevalence of certain network motifs in the Internet.

Provides insights into the dynamic evolution of AS topologies.

Validates model predictions with real-world data.

Abstract

We establish a network formation game for the Internet's Autonomous System (AS) interconnection topology. The game includes different types of players, accounting for the heterogeneity of ASs in the Internet. In this network formation game, the utility of a player depends on the network structure, e.g., the distances between nodes and the cost of links. We also consider the case where utility (or monetary) transfers are allowed between the players. We incorporate reliability considerations in the player's utility function, and analyze static properties of the game as well as its dynamic evolution. We provide dynamic analysis of topological quantities, and explain the prevalence of some "network motifs" in the Internet graph. We assess our predictions with real-world data.