An origin-based model for unique shortest path routing

Link weights are the main parameters of shortest path routing protocols, the most commonly used protocols for IP networks. The problem of optimally setting link weights for unique shortest path routing is addressed. Due to the complexity of the constraints involved, there exist challenges to formulate the problem in such a way based on which a more efficient solution algorithm than the existing ones may be developed. In this paper, an exact formulation is first introduced and then mathematically proved correct. It is further illustrated that the formulation has advantages over a prior one in terms of both constraint structure and model size for a proposed decomposition method to solve the problem.