Operational Research: theory and applications

Professors: Emilio Leonardi

Official description of the course: here

The main aim of the course is to provide students with theoretical and operational tools for modeling and solving Operations Research and Optimization problems usually met in the design and the management of complex infrastructures such as computer networks. Operations Research deals with the mathematical modeling of complex problems and related solution algorithms. Modeling the problem means to write it in terms of mathematical programming, i.e. identifying an objective function (which has to be minimized or maximized) and a set of constraints to be satisfied. Solving the problem means to find a solution which maximizes or minimizes the objective function without violating the constraints, and this is accomplished by using appropriate solution algorithms. Most recent solution algorithms will be discussed for each computer network design/management problem presented in the course. During the course, students will be asked to practice the presented methodologies in laboratories.