Self-stabilizing minimum spanning tree construction on message-passing networks

Abstract

Self-stabilizing algorithms for constructing a spanning tree of an arbitrary network have been studied for many models of distributed networks including those that communicate via registers (either composite or read/write atomic) and those that employ message-passing. In contrast, much less has been done for the corresponding minimum spanning tree problem. The one published self-stabilizing distributed algorithm for the minimum spanning problem that we are aware of [3] assumes a composite atomicity model. This paper presents two minimum spanning tree algorithms designed directly for deterministic, message-passing networks. The first converts an arbitrary spanning tree to a minimum one; the second is a fully self-stabilizing construction. The algorithms assume distinct identifiers and reliable fifo message passing, but do not rely on a root or synchrony. Also, processors have a safe time-out mechanism (the minimum assumption necessary for a solution to exist.) Both algorithms apply to networks that can change dynamically.