Optimizing synchronization cost for mobile devices: the Expedient Trickle Sync algorithm
Date
2009-01-17T00:04:42Z
Authors
Barclay, Brad
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Abstract
In this thesis, I propose an algorithm for optimizing the cost involved with synchronizing the data contained in mobile wireless devices, named Expedient Trickle Sync (ETS). In this thesis, I focus on two significant cost factors: firstly, that of the cost of transmitting information across the network, and secondly, the cost associated with user access to out-of-date information. The ETS algorithm attempts to balance these two cost factors via a simple set of heuristics which calculate at regular intervals a test value, based on a variety of observations, and a threshold value which is recalculated on a daily basis. Additionally, the ETS algorithm will prioritize records based on their probability of access and the cost associated with synchronizing them, thus possibly deferring the synchronization of records with a low probability of access until it is possible to resolve their replication in a lower-cost network environment. This thesis evaluates the ETS algorithm alongside other optimistic replication algorithms in a custom developed simulation environment, the results of which show that in many use scenarios, the ETS algorithm can indeed reduce the cost of data synchronization.
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Keywords
synchronization, simulation, mobile devices, networking