Heuristic Genetic Algorithm for Multicast Overlay Network Link Selection

The application level multicast overlay network (ON) is composed by the hosts based on the physics unicast links between them. The initial ON is a completely connectivity network, which make the multicast tree construction and routing is lower efficiency. For improving the ON routing performance, the ON links should be selected. Based on a new presented ON link selection model with reliability and minimal routing cost constraints, put forward an heuristic genetic algorithm (HGA). The algorithm combines the characteristics of the heuristic algorithm and genetic algorithm. The algorithm can reduce the ON links and be satisfied with the network constraints. Simulation results show that the HGA has fast converging speed and stabilization, and simply operation.