Brief Announcement: A Randomized Algorithm for Label Assignment in Dynamic Networks

In large-scale networking environments, such as data centers, a key difficulty is the assignment of labels to network elements. Labels can be assigned statically, e.g. MAC-addresses in traditional Layer 2 networks, or by a central authority as in DHCP in Layer 3 networks. On the other hand, networks requiring a dynamic solution often use a Consensus-based state machine approach. While designing Alias [2], a protocol for automatically assigning hierarchically meaningful addresses in data center networks, we encountered an instance of label assignment with entirely different requirements. In this case, the rules for labels depend on connectivity, and connectivity (and hence, labels) changes over time. Thus, neither static assignment nor a state machine approach is ideal.