A parallel algorithm for preemptive scheduling of uniform machines

In this paper we describe a fast parallel algorithm for preemptive scheduling of n independent jobs on m uniform machines. Each job has a processing requirement, and each machine processes jobs at a different rate. The goal of the scheduling algorithm is to find a schedule which minimizes the time at which the last job is completed. T. Gonzalez and S. Sahni have developed a sequential algorithm which solves this problem in O(n + m log m) time. We develop a parallel version of this algorithm for a Concurrent Read Exclusive Write (CREW) shared memory computer. The algorithm runs in O(log n + log³m) time using n processors.     

A note on MULTIFIT scheduling for uniform machines

In this note, we derive the tight worst case bound √6/2+(1/2) ^k for scheduling with the MULTIFIT heuristic on two parallel uniform machines withk calls of FFD within MULTIFIT. When MULTIFIT is combined with LPT as an incumbent algorithm the worst case bound decreases to √2+1/2+(1/2) ^k . Partially supported by SFB F003 “Optimierung und Kontrolle”, Projektbereich Diskrete Optimierung and by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant 19701028.     

Ordinal algorithms for parallel machine scheduling with nonsimultaneous machine available times

This paper considers ordinal algorithms for parallel machine scheduling with nonsimultaneous machine available times. Two objects of minimizing the latest job completion time and minimizing the latest machine completion time are studied. For the first objective, we present the optimal algorithms for m = 2, 3, 4 machine cases. For m ≥ 5, we propose an algorithm with competitive ratio 2 - 1/(m - 1) while the lower bound is 5/3. For the second objective, the optimal algorithm is also given. Furthermore, for a special case, an algorithm with significantly improved competitive ratio is given.     

A priori parallel machines scheduling

We address the probabilistic generalization of weighted flow time on parallel machines. We present some results for situations which ask for “long-term robust” schedules of n jobs (tasks) on m parallel machines (processors): on any given day, only a random subset of jobs needs to be processed. The goal is to design robust a priori schedules (before we know which jobs need to be processed) which, on a long-term horizon, are optimal (or near optimal) with respect to total weighted flow time. The originality of this work is that probabilities are explicitly associated with data such that further classical properties of a task (processing time and weight) we consider a probability of presence. After motivating this investigation we analyze the computational complexity, analytical properties, and solution procedures for these problems. Special care is also devoted to assess experimentally the performance of a priori strategies.     

Approximation algorithms for general parallel task scheduling

A general parallel task scheduling problem is considered. A task can be processed in parallel on one of several alternative subsets of processors. The processing time of the task depends on the subset of processors assigned to the task. We first show the hardness of approximating the problem for both preemptive and nonpreemptive cases in the general setting. Next we focus on linear array network of m processors. We give an approximation algorithm of ratio O(logm) for nonpreemptive scheduling, and another algorithm of ratio 2 for preemptive scheduling. Finally, we give a nonpreemptive scheduling algorithm of ratio O(log²m) for m×m two-dimensional meshes.     

带两个服务等级的3台机半在线算法

This paper studies a semi-online hierarchical scheduling problem on three identical machines. In the problem, there is only one machine with hierarchy 1 and two machines with hierarchy 2, and the goal is to minimize the makespan. When the total size of low-hierarchy is known, an online algorithm with the competitive ratio of 5/3 and the lower bound of 3/2 is given. When the total size of high-hierarchy is known, an online algorithm with the competitive ratio of 9/5 and the lower bound of 3/2 is given. When the total size of each hierarchy is known, an online algorithm with the competitive ratio of 3/2 and the lower bound of 4/3 is given. When the total size of jobs is known, a best possible online algorithm with the competitive ratio of 3/2 is given.     

Preemptive stochastic online scheduling on two uniform machines

This paper addresses a stochastic online scheduling problem in which a set of independent jobs are to be processed by two uniform machines whose speeds are 1 and s(s?1). Each job has a processing time, which is a random variable with an arbitrary distribution, and all the jobs are arriving overtime, which means that no information of the job is known in advance before its arrival. During the processing, jobs are allowed to be preempted and resumed later. The objective is to minimize the sum of expected weighted completion times. In this paper, the optimal policy, named SMPR, is designed for the single-machine preemptive stochastic scheduling problem where jobs have a common arriving time. Based on SMPR, the online approximative policy-UMPR, is devised for the preemptive stochastic online scheduling on two uniform machines. Then, UMPR is proved to have an approximation factor of 2. Furthermore, it is concluded that UMPR could not have a smaller approximation factor than 2, which means 2 is the approximation ratio of UMPR for the two-uniform-machine scheduling problem.     

Improved optimal algorithms for scheduling unit-length independent tasks on uniform machines

Five scheduling problems are considered, concerning unit-length independent tasks and uniform machines. New improved optimal algorithms are presented that can solve these problems in at most O( n log n) time, where n is the number of tasks. The existing algorithms solve most of these problems in O( n ³ ) time. Proofs of optimality of the present algorithms are included, and simple representative examples are provided that illustrate the type of results obtained     

Optimal algorithms for semi-online preemptive scheduling problems on two uniform machines

This paper investigates two preemptive semi-online scheduling problems to minimize makespan on two uniform machines. In the first semi-online problem, we know in advance that all jobs have their processing times in between p and rp . In the second semi-online problem, we know the size of the largest job in advance. We design an optimal semi-online algorithm which is optimal for every combination of machine speed ratio and job processing time ratio for the first problem, and an optimal semi-online algorithm for every machine speed ratio for the second problem.Received: 2 December 2003, Published online: 16 January 2004This research is supported by the Teaching and Research Award Program for Outstanding Young Teachers in Higher Education Institutions of MOE, China, and National Natural Science Foundation of China (10271110).     

求解可重入并行机调度的混合禁忌搜索算法

为解决带有一台远程服务设备的可重入并行机调度问题,设计了一种混合禁忌搜索算法。针对传统禁忌搜索算法只从单起始点搜索、容易陷入局部最优等缺点,混合禁忌搜索算法设计了一种Restart策略。当传统禁忌搜索算法陷入局部最优时,用Restart策略重新产生初始解以进行禁忌搜索,将传统的禁忌搜索算法从单起始点搜索改进成多起始点搜索。数值实验中将混合禁忌搜索算法与启发式算法CS相比,结果表明该算法具有较高的求解质量,且其计算时间是可接受的。     

Batch scheduling on uniform machines to minimize total flow-time

The solution of the classical batch scheduling problem with identical jobs and setup times to minimize flowtime is known for twenty five years. In this paper we extend this result to a setting of two uniform machines with machine-dependent setup times. We introduce an O(n) solution for the relaxed version (allowing non-integer batch sizes), followed by a simple rounding procedure to obtain integer batch sizes.     

A search heuristic for just-in-time scheduling in parallel machines

In recent years the Just-in-Time (JIT) production philosophy as been adopted by many companies around the world. This has motivated the study of scheduling models that embrace the essential components of JIT systems. In this paper, we present a search heurustic for the weighted earliness penalty problem with deadlines in parallel identical machines. Our approach combines elements of the solution methods known as greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP) and tabu search. It also uses a branch-and-bound post-processor to optimize individually the sequence of the jobs assigned to each machine.