Based on the conditions for identifying additive link metrics presented in Chapter 2, this chapter addresses two network design questions: (1) Given an unbounded number of monitors, where should they be placed in the network to identify the metrics of all the links using a minimum number of monitors? (2) Given a bounded number of monitors, where should they be placed in the network to identify the metrics of the largest subset of links? The focus here is on the design of intelligent algorithms that can efficiently compute the optimal monitor locations without enumerating all possible monitor placements, achieved through strategic decomposition of the network topology based on the required identifiability conditions. Variations of these algorithms are also given to address cases with predictable or unpredictable topology changes and limited links of interest. In addition to theoretical analysis, empirical results are given to demonstrate the capability of selected algorithms for which such results are available.

This chapter covers preliminary materials required to understand the presentation in the following chapters, including selected definitions from graph theory, linear algebra, and parameter estimation. We also introduce a classification of routing mechanisms based on the controllability of the routing of probes by monitors generating the probes, which will facilitate the discussion in the following chapters.