Methods and apparatus for tuning a network for optimal performance

An article of manufacture, which article of manufacture comprises one or more machine-readable, non-transitory, tangible media having instructions encoded thereon for one or more computer processors:

• (i) to receive electronic data indicative of, or to compute (A) at least three different topologies of a network and (B) a level of network performance for each of the at least three different topologies, respectively,
• (ii) to calculate a set of cascade probabilities, the set of cascade probabilities comprising a cascade probability for each of the different topologies, respectively,
• (iii) to calculate a curve indicative of correlation between the levels of network performance and the cascade probabilities and to determine an optimal cascade probability, the optimal cascade probability being a cascade probability (or continuous segment of cascade probabilities) on the curve which optimizes level of network performance, and
• (iv) to output electronic control signals, which electronic control signals are indicative of either
• (A) instructions to make a topological change in the network and instructions for at least one electronic communication device to communicate data indicative of the topological change to at least one electronic node device in the network,
• (B) instructions for at least one electronic communication device to communicate data indicative of an incentive for the topological change to at least one electronic node device of the network;
• wherein (1) the topological change makes or would if implemented make the cascade probability closer to the optimal cascade probability, and (2) the level of network performance comprises a measure of central tendency of levels of performance of the task by respective nodes of the network.

A system comprising:

• (a) at least one electronic device;
• and
• (b) one or more computer processors;
• wherein the one or more computer processors are configured
• (i) to receive electronic data indicative of, or to compute (A) at least three different topologies of a network and (B) a level of network performance for each of the at least three different topologies, respectively,
• (ii) to calculate a set of cascade probabilities, the set of cascade probabilities comprising a cascade probability for each of the different topologies, respectively,
• (iii) to calculate a curve indicative of correlation between the levels of network performance and the cascade probabilities and to determine an optimal cascade probability, the optimal cascade probability being a cascade probability (or continuous segment of cascade probabilities) on the curve which optimizes level of network performance, and
• (iv) to output electronic control signals, which electronic control signals are indicative of either
• (A) instructions to make a topological change in the network and instructions for at least one electronic communication device to communicate data indicative of the topological change to at least one electronic node device in the network,
• (B) instructions for at least one electronic communication device to communicate data indicative of an incentive for the topological change to at least one electronic node device of the network;
• and
• wherein (1) the topological change makes or would if implemented make the cascade probability closer to the optimal cascade probability, and (2) the level of network performance comprises a measure of central tendency of levels of performance of the task by respective nodes of the network.