A fuzzy-based path ordering algorithm for QoS routing in non-deterministic communication networks

We present a novel, fuzzy-based method for path selection under additive quality of service constraints, where the information available for making routing decisions is inaccurate. The goal of the path selection process is to identify a feasible path while minimizing the overall setup time required for establishing a successful connection. Under the assumption that a list of candidate paths already exists, we explore the fuzzy logic approach for this purpose. The performance evaluation of the proposed algorithm is done by a simulation program that compares between the fuzzy logic approach, the optimal solution and a standard approach suggested in the literature, where the main performance metric is the average setup time for successfully establishing a feasible connection. The results show that the fuzzy approach has a lower average setup time for establishing a connection than the standard approach and that it is almost as efficient as the optimal solution. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.