Finding geographic vulnerabilities in multilayer networks using reduced network state enumeration

Despite advancements in the analysis of networks with respect to geographic vulnerabilities, very few approaches exist that can be applied to large networks with varied applications and network measures. Natural and man-made disasters as well as major political events (like riots) have kept the challenges of geographic failures in networks in the forefront. With the increasing interest in multilayer and virtual networks, methods to analyze these networks for geographic vulnerabilities are important. In this paper, we present a state space analysis method that analyzes multilayer networks for geographic vulnerabilities. It uses either the inability to provision an upper layer service and/or increased costs to provision as the criteria for network failure. Mapping techniques for multilayer network states are presented. Simplifying geographic state mapping techniques to reduce enumeration costs are also presented and tested. Finally, these techniques are tested on small and extremely large networks.