RouteNet-Erlang: A graph neural network for network performance evaluation

Abstract

Network modeling is a fundamental tool in network research, design, and operation. Arguably the most popular method for modeling is Queuing Theory (QT). Its main limitation is that it imposes strong assumptions on the packet arrival process, which typically do not hold in real networks. In the field of Deep Learning, Graph Neural Networks (GNN) have emerged as a new technique to build data-driven models that can learn complex and non-linear behavior. In this paper, we present RouteNet-Erlang, a pioneering GNN architecture designed to model computer networks. RouteNet-Erlang supports complex traffic models, multi-queue scheduling policies, routing policies and can provide accurate estimates in networks not seen in the training phase. We benchmark RouteNet-Erlang against a state-of-the-art QT model, and our results show that it outperforms QT in all the network scenarios.