A system for determining the ability of a network to spread information or physical traffic

Abstract

A system is disclosed for determining the ability of a network to spread information or physical traffic. Said network includes a number of network nodes interconnected by links, the system being characterized in that said system and its component partds: are operable to map the topology of network: are operable to determine a value for link strength between the nodes; are operable to determine an eigenvector centrality index for all nodes, based on said link strength val-ues: are operable to identify nodes which are local maxima of the eigenvector centrality index as centre nodes: are operable to group the nodes into regions surrounding each identified centre node: are operable to assign a role to each node from its position in a region, as centre nodes, region member nodes, border nodes, bridge nodes, dangler nodes; are operable to measure the susceptibility of the network to spreading, based on the number of regions, their size, and how they are connected.