Online scheduling of parallel jobs on two machines is 2-competitive

We consider online scheduling of parallel jobs on parallel machines. For the problem with two machines and the objective of minimizing the makespan, we show that 2 is a tight lower bound on the competitive ratio. For the problem with m machines, we derive lower bounds using an ILP formulation.     

Unrelated parallel machines scheduling with deteriorating jobs and resource dependent processing times

We consider unrelated parallel machines scheduling problems involving resource dependent (controllable) processing times and deteriorating jobs simultaneously, i.e., the actual processing time of a job is a function of its starting time and its resource allocation. Two generally resource consumption functions, the linear and convex resource, were investigated. The objective is to find the optimal sequence of jobs and the optimal resource allocation separately. This paper focus on the objectives of minimizing a cost function containing makespan, total completion time, total absolute differences in completion times and total resource cost, and a cost function containing makespan, total waiting time, total absolute differences in waiting times and total resource cost. If the number of unrelated parallel machines is a given constant, we show that the problems remain polynomially solvable under the proposed model.     

Preemptive scheduling of equal length jobs with release dates on two uniform parallel machines

We consider a problem of scheduling n jobs on two uniform parallel machines. For each job we are given its release date when the job becomes available for processing. All jobs have equal processing requirements. Preemptions are allowed. The objective is to find a schedule minimizing total completion time. We suggest an O(n³) algorithm to solve this problem.     

An approximation algorithm for scheduling two parallel machines with capacity constraints

We consider the problem of scheduling n independent jobs on two identical parallel machines, with a limit on the number of jobs that can be assigned to each single machine, so as to minimize the total weighted completion time of the jobs. We study a semidefinite programming-based approximation algorithm for solving this problem and prove that the algorithm has a worst case ratio at most 1.1626.     

Idle regulation in non-clairvoyant scheduling of parallel jobs

The optimization of parallel applications is difficult to achieve by classical optimization techniques because of their diversity and the variety of actual parallel and distributed platforms and/or environments. Adaptive algorithmic schemes, capable of dynamically changing the allocation of jobs during the execution to optimize global system behavior, are the best alternatives for solving this problem. In this paper, we focus on non-clairvoyant scheduling of parallel jobs with known resource requirements but unknown running times, with emphasis on the regulation of idle periods in the context of general list policies. We consider a new family of scheduling strategies based on two phases which successively combine sequential and parallel execution of jobs. We generalize known worst-case performance bounds by considering two extra parameters, in addition to the number of processors and maximum processor requirements considered in the literature, namely, job parallelization penalty and idle regulation factor. Furthermore, we prove that under certain conditions of idle regulation, the performance guarantee of parallel job scheduling in space-sharing mode can be improved.     

Fast LP models and algorithms for identical jobs on uniform parallel machines

Scheduling n identical jobs on m uniform parallel machines to minimize scheduling work is very common in practice. The case of identical jobs is common in manufacturing systems, in which many products have identical designs or processing times on the same machine. Factories often buy new equipment but retain their slower, older equipment; this results in machines having different processing speeds.     

Scheduling deteriorating jobs with a learning effect on unrelated parallel machines

In this study we consider unrelated parallel machines scheduling problems with learning effect and deteriorating jobs, in which the actual processing time of a job is a function of joint time-dependent deterioration and position-dependent learning. The objective is to determine the jobs assigned to corresponding each machine and the corresponding optimal schedule to minimize a cost function containing total completion (waiting) time, total absolute differences in completion (waiting) times and total machine load. If the number of machines is a given constant, we show that the problems can be solved in polynomial time under the time-dependent deterioration and position-dependent learning model.     

Exact analysis of a two-workstation one-buffer flow line with parallel unreliable machines

This paper examines a model of a serial flow line with two workstations and an intermediate buffer. Each workstation consists of multiple unreliable parallel machines which are not necessarily identical, viz., the processing times, failure times and repair times of the parallel machines at each workstation are assumed to be exponentially distributed with non-identical mean rates. The system under consideration is solved via exact Markovian analysis. More specifically, a recursive algorithm that generates the transition matrix for any value of the intermediate buffer capacity is developed and all possible transition equations are derived and solved analytically. Once the transition equations are solved the performance measures of the model under consideration can be easily evaluated. This model may be used as a decomposition block for solving larger flow lines with parallel unreliable machines at each workstation.     

Flow shop scheduling problems with deteriorating jobs on no-idle dominant machines

In this paper, we study the permutation flow shop scheduling problems with deteriorating jobs on no-idle dominant machines. The objective is to minimize one of the two regular performance criteria, namely, makespan and total completion time. For each objective, the following dominant machines constraint: idm, ddm, idm–ddm and ddm–idm are considered. We present a polynomial time solution algorithm for each of the four cases.     

Metaheuristics for scheduling jobs with incompatible families on parallel batching machines

In this paper, we discuss the scheduling of jobs with incompatible families on parallel batching machines. The performance measure is total weighted tardiness. This research is motivated by a scheduling problem found in the diffusion and oxidation areas of semiconductor wafer fabrication where the machines can be modelled as parallel batch processors. Given that this scheduling problem is NP-hard, we suggest an ant colony optimization (ACO) and a variable neighbourhood search (VNS) approach. Both metaheuristics are hybridized with a decomposition heuristic and a local search scheme. We compare the performance of the two algorithms with that of a genetic algorithm (GA) based on extensive computational experiments. The VNS approach outperforms the ACO and GA approach with respect to time and solution quality.     

A note on flow shop scheduling problems with deteriorating jobs on no-idle dominant machines

The main results in a recent paper [M. Cheng, S. Sun, L. He, Flow shop scheduling problems with deteriorating jobs on no-idle dominant machines, European Journal of Operational Research 183 (2007) 115–124] are incorrect because job processing times are variable due to deteriorating effect, which is not taken into account by the authors. In this note, we show first by counter-examples that the published results are incorrect, and then we provide corrected results.     

An improved on-line algorithm for scheduling on two unrestrictive parallel batch processing machines

We consider the problem of on-line scheduling a set of n jobs on two parallel batch processing machines. The objective is to minimize the makespan. We provide an algorithm for the problem that is better than one given in the literature, improving the competitive ratio from to .     

Customer order scheduling to minimize the number of late jobs

In the order scheduling problem, every job (order) consists of several tasks (product items), each of which will be processed on a dedicated machine. The completion time of a job is defined as the time at which all its tasks are finished. Minimizing the number of late jobs was known to be strongly NP-hard. In this note, we show that no FPTAS exists for the two-machine, common due date case, unless P = NP. We design a heuristic algorithm and analyze its performance ratio for the unweighted case. An LP-based approximation algorithm is presented for the general multicover problem. The algorithm can be applied to the weighted version of the order scheduling problem with a common due date.     

Power-aware scheduling of preemptable jobs on identical parallel processors to meet deadlines

This paper deals with a power-aware scheduling of preemptable independent jobs on identical parallel processors where ready time for each job is given and its completion time has to meet a given deadline. Jobs are described by (different) continuous, strictly concave functions relating their processing speeds at a time to the amount of power allotted at the moment. Power is a continuous, doubly constrained resource, i.e. both: its availability at each time instant and consumption over scheduling horizon are constrained. A methodology based on properties of minimum-length schedules is utilized to determine the existence of a feasible schedule for given amounts of energy and power. The question about minimum levels of power and energy ensuring the existence of a feasible schedule for a given set of jobs is also studied.     

Preemptive scheduling of independent jobs on parallel machines subject to financial constraints

The paper deals with the preemptive scheduling of independent jobs on parallel unrelated machines with the use of additional renewable resources (manpower, facilities) and the consumption of a nonrenewable resource (money). Money becomes available at different dates in specified amounts (financial constraints). Two scheduling criteria are considered: schedule length and total cost. The algorithm consists in solving a parametric linear program and using its results to construct a most satisfactory schedule in polynomial time. The reduction of job preemptions in a feasible schedule is considered.     

Soft due window assignment and scheduling of unit-time jobs on parallel machines

We study problems of scheduling n unit-time jobs on m identical parallel machines, in which a common due window has to be assigned to all jobs. If a job is completed within the due window, then no scheduling cost incurs. Otherwise, a job-dependent earliness or tardiness cost incurs. The job completion times, the due window location and the size are integer valued decision variables. The objective is to find a job schedule as well as the location and the size of the due window such that a weighted sum or maximum of costs associated with job earliness, job tardiness and due window location and size is minimized. We establish properties of optimal solutions of these min-sum and min-max problems and reduce them to min-sum (traditional) or min-max (bottleneck) assignment problems solvable in O(n ⁵/m ²) and O(n ^4.5log^0.5 n/m ²) time, respectively. More efficient solution procedures are given for the case in which the due window size cost does not exceed the due window start time cost, the single machine case, the case of proportional earliness and tardiness costs and the case of equal earliness and tardiness costs.     

带两个服务等级的三台机最优在线算法

研究了带服务等级约束的三台平行机在线排序问题.每台机器和每个工件的服务等级为1或者2,工件只能在等级不高于它的机器上加工,即等级为1的工件只能在等级为1的机器上加工,等级为2的工件可在所有机器上加工.每个工件的加工时间为一个单位,目标是极小化所有工件的总完工时间.考虑两种情形:当一台机器等级为1,两台机器等级为2时,给出了竞争比为17/14的最优在线算法;当两台机器等级为1,一台机器等级为2时,给出了竞争比为43/36的最优在线算法.