[Colloq] NOW 366WVH - CCIS HIRING TALK: Xia Zhou - Network Design in the Big-Data Age

[Jessica Biron]

Title: Network Design in the Big-Data Age 

Xia Zhou - UC Santa Barbara 

March 14, 10:00am 
366 WVH 

Abstract: 

Today, the design of next generation networks is dictated by the characteristics of big-data applications that generate large volumes of data traffic. The sheer size and dynamic nature of these workloads drive network design tradeoffs. For example, cellular network providers are scrambling for additional spectrum to support heavy network usage on mobile devices, and batched data processing jobs are straining network capacity in data center networks. In both cases, network architects must find novel ways to support high traffic demands that vary significantly with time, often without predictable patterns. 

In this talk, I will present key results from our efforts to tackle the issue of traffic dynamics in both next generation wireless networks and data centers. First, I will describe my work on addressing dynamic traffic demands in wireless networks using dynamic auctions for radio spectrum. Highly dynamic spectrum usage calls for on-demand auctions for fine-grain spectrum leases. I will show that existing auction designs fail due to complex interference constraints in the wireless environment. Our solution is an eBay-like spectrum marketplace that auctions spectrum efficiently while achieving economic-robustness. Second, I will describe challenges in dealing with dynamic traffic hotspots in data center networks, where our solution is to use 3-D flexible wireless interconnects to augment wired networks. I will identify key challenges of using wireless in data centers: link blockage and radio interference, and then present 3D beamforming as a new wireless primitive to address them. Finally, I will discuss my plans for both short-term and long-term future work. 

Bio: 

Xia Zhou is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at UC Santa Barbara. Her research interests are in data centers, wireless networking systems and measurements, and dynamic spectrum access. Her recent work on wireless data centers has been reported by a wide range of media including NY Times and MIT Tech Review (twice). Her previous work on spectrum auctions was a Best Paper Award Finalist at MobiCom 2008. She received the Outstanding Publication Award in Computer Science at UCSB in 2009 and 2012. She was also a finalist for the US Anita Borg Scholarship in 2009, and won the Chancellor's Fellowship at UCSB in 2007.