Efficient machine learning for network optimization

A non-transitory, computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that are executable by a computing device to perform operations comprising:

• generating a ranking of nodes in a topology for a network proportional to a centrality of each node in the topology, wherein the centrality is inversely proportional to an average length of at least (a) a first shortest path between the node and another node and (b) second shortest path between the node and a second other node;
• selecting a set of pivotal nodes from highest ranked nodes of the topology;
• generating and training a machine learning model based, at least in part, on the topology and information related to performance and behaviors of the network;
• providing, as an input to the machine learning model, identifiers for a first host and a second host;
• identifying one or more pivotal nodes from the set of pivotal nodes to be utilized in transmitting network traffic between the first host and the second host based, at least in part, on output from the machine learning model;
• and
• generating a routing path between the first host and the second host that comprises the one or more pivotal nodes by:
• identifying a shortest path between the first host and a first pivotal node of the one or more pivotal nodes, wherein the shortest path between the first host and the first pivotal node is a path in the topology which comprises a minimum number of nodes, and
• identifying a shortest path between the first pivotal node and the second host in the topology.

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
• process a topology to generate a ranked list of nodes in a network, with each node ranked proportional to a centrality of the node in the topology, wherein the centrality is inversely proportional to an average length of at least (a) a first shortest path between the node and another node and (b) a second shortest path between the node and a second other node;
• select a set of pivotal nodes from highest ranked nodes of the ranked list of nodes;
• determine one or more pivotal nodes from the set of pivotal nodes to be utilized in transmitting network traffic from a first host to a second host;
• generate a routing path between the first host and the second host that comprises the one or more pivotal nodes by:
• identifying a first shortest path between the first host and a first pivotal node of the determined one or more pivotal nodes, wherein the shortest path between the first host and the first pivotal node is a path in the topology which comprises a minimum number of nodes, and
• identifying a second shortest path between the first pivotal node and the second host in the topology;
• and
• deploy the routing path to the network.