Computer and Database Location in Distributed Computer Systems

Design of distributed computer systems is a complex task requiring solutions for several difficult problems. Location of computing resources and databases in a wide-area network is one of these problems which has not yet been solved satisfactorily. Solution of this problem involves determining number and size of computer facilities and their locations, configuring databases and allocating these databases among computer facilities. An integer programming formulation of the problem is presented. Heuristic and optimal solution procedures are developed and computational experience with these procedures is reported. Implications of the model for designing distributed systems are discussed.