Degree-Based Graph Reconstruction for Parallel Load Balancing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current graph partitioning technologies in parallel graph processing systems struggle to balance computation load and reduce communication costs effectively, leading to increased execution times of graph processing algorithms.

Innovation Solution

A graph refactorization method that fuses low-degree vertices into super-vertices and splits high-degree vertices into sub-vertices, maintaining the original topological structure while balancing load across machines, thereby reducing excessive communication and shortening execution time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If edge-cut graph partitioning is used to equally divide vertices to all machines, then communication costs are reduced, but load allocation becomes unbalanced and execution time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication costVSAvoidexecution time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments vertices into different types (high-degree, low-degree, medium-degree) and applies different partitioning strategies to each segment. High-degree vertices are kept intact on single machines, low-degree vertices are distributed evenly, and medium-degree vertices are handled with special care. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing communication-efficient handling of low-degree vertices while maintaining load balance through appropriate distribution of high-degree vertices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different partitioning qualities to different parts of the graph. For low-degree vertices, it uses communication-efficient edge-cut partitioning. For high-degree vertices, it uses load-balancing-oriented vertex-cut partitioning. This local differentiation allows each region of the graph to be partitioned according to its specific characteristics, resolving the universal trade-off between communication cost and load balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If vertex-cut graph partitioning is used to evenly allocate edges to all machines, then load allocation is balanced, but low-degree vertices are forcibly split and copied to multiple machines increasing communication costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload balanceVSAvoidcommunication cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments vertices by degree and applies vertex-cut partitioning only to high-degree vertices where it provides benefit, while using edge-cut partitioning for low-degree vertices where it would cause unnecessary splitting. This selective application resolves the contradiction by avoiding the harmful effects of vertex-cut on low-degree vertices while retaining its load-balancing benefits for high-degree vertices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying a single partitioning approach universally, the patent inverts the conventional wisdom by applying edge-cut (typically associated with communication efficiency) to low-degree vertices and vertex-cut (typically associated with load balancing) to high-degree vertices. This inversion resolves the contradiction by matching the partitioning strategy to the vertex characteristics rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If hybrid-cut is used with different partitioning functions for different vertices, then load is balanced and communication costs are reduced, but coordination costs increase and each machine needs to read more graph information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexecution timeVSAvoidcoordination cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments vertices into three categories and applies different partitioning strategies to each segment, achieving the benefits of hybrid-cut while simplifying the implementation. By clearly defining segments based on degree thresholds and applying appropriate partitioning methods to each, it reduces coordination complexity compared to more sophisticated hybrid approaches while maintaining the dual benefits of load balance and communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of energy

If graph partitioning is used to reduce communication costs, then coordination between machines is improved, but execution time of graph processing algorithm increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication costVSAvoidexecution time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary classification of vertices by degree before partitioning, and uses this classification information during the partitioning process to make informed decisions about vertex placement. This preliminary action allows the system to optimize both communication costs and execution time simultaneously by pre-identifying which vertices should be kept intact and which can be distributed, avoiding the trade-off between the two objectives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4012573B1Graph reconstruction method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4012573B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4012573B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4012573B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A graph refactorization method and a graph refactorization apparatus are provided, and relate to the field of communication technologies, to implement parallel graph processing with load balancing, low communication costs, and short execution time. The method includes: A first machine selects a first vertex from a local vertex set of a subgraph (S801). If a degree of the first vertex is less than or equal to a first preset threshold, the first machine fuses the first vertex and an adjacent vertex within a preset quantity of hops of the first vertex in the local vertex set into a super-vertex (S802). If the degree of the first vertex is greater than or equal to a second preset threshold, the first machine copies the first vertex to obtain N sub-vertices, and divides edges of the first vertex in the subgraph of the first machine into N parts to respectively connect to the N sub-vertices (S803).