A 2-competitive algorithm for online convex optimization with switching costs

Nikhil Bansal, Anupam Gupta, Ravishankar Krishnaswamy, Kirk Pruhs, Kevin Schewior, Cliff Stein

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We consider a natural online optimization problem set on the real line. The state of the online algorithm at each integer time t is a location xt on the real line. At each integer time t, a convex function ft(x) arrives online. In response, the online algorithm picks a new location xt. The cost paid by the online algorithm for this response is the distance moved, namely |xt - xt-1|, plus the value of the function at the final destination, namely Σt(xt). The objective is then to minimize the aggregate cost over all time, namely Σt (|xt - xt-1| + ft(xt)). The motivating application is rightsizing power-proportional data centers. We give a 2-competitive algorithm for this problem. We also give a 3-competitive memoryless algorithm, and show that this is the best competitive ratio achievable by a deterministic memoryless algorithm. Finally we show that this online problem is strictly harder than the standard ski rental problem.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationApproximation, Randomization, and Combinatorial Optimization. Algorithms and Techniques - 18th International Workshop, APPROX 2015, and 19th International Workshop, RANDOM 2015
EditorsNaveen Garg, Klaus Jansen, Anup Rao, Jose D. P. Rolim
PublisherSchloss Dagstuhl- Leibniz-Zentrum fur Informatik GmbH, Dagstuhl Publishing
Pages96-109
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9783939897897
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2015
Event18th International Workshop on Approximation Algorithms for Combinatorial Optimization Problems, APPROX 2015, and 19th International Workshop on Randomization and Computation, RANDOM 2015 - Princeton, United States
Duration: Aug 24 2015Aug 26 2015

Publication series

NameLeibniz International Proceedings in Informatics, LIPIcs
Volume40
ISSN (Print)1868-8969

Other

Other18th International Workshop on Approximation Algorithms for Combinatorial Optimization Problems, APPROX 2015, and 19th International Workshop on Randomization and Computation, RANDOM 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPrinceton
Period8/24/158/26/15

Keywords

  • Scheduling
  • Stochastic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software

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