Optimal File Allocation in a Multiple Computer System

A model is developed for allocating information files required in common by several computers. The model considers storage cost, transmission cost, file lengths, and request rates, as well as updating rates of files, the maximum allowable expected access times to files at each computer, and the storage capacity of each computer. The criterion of optimality is minimal overall operating costs (storage and transmission). The model is formulated into a nonlinear integer zero-one programming problem, which may be reduced to a linear zero-one programming problem. A simple example is given to illustrate the model.