Maximizing Server Profit by Optimizing Subscriber Strategies in Timely Gossip Networks

Core Concepts

The server aims to maximize its profit by increasing subscriptions from users and minimizing event sampling frequency, while users seek to maintain their expected version ages below a threshold by either relying on gossip from neighbors or directly subscribing to the server.

Abstract

The paper considers a communication system where a group of users, interconnected in a bidirectional gossip network, wish to track a time-varying source (e.g., updates on an event) in real-time. The users want to maintain their expected version ages below a threshold and can either rely on gossip from their neighbors or directly subscribe to a server publishing about the event.

The server's goal is to maximize its profit by increasing subscriptions from users and minimizing event sampling frequency to reduce costs. This leads to a Stackelberg game between the server and the users, where the server is the leader deciding its sampling frequency and the users are the followers deciding their subscription strategies.

The authors investigate equilibrium strategies for low-connectivity (bidirectional line) and high-connectivity (fully-connected) network topologies. For the bidirectional line network, multiple Stackelberg equilibrium solutions exist, with higher plausible periodicity of subscribers under frequent server sampling. In contrast, the fully-connected network gives a single equilibrium solution and fewer subscribers, as the deep network connectivity disincentivizes users from subscribing.

The key insights are:

1. In the bidirectional line network, the highest age in the non-subscribers is at the midpoint between subscribers, and the expected age of a set of nodes is independent of the frequency of subscribers.
2. For the fully-connected network, the expected age of a non-subscribing user decreases as the number of subscribers increases, and there exists a unique number of subscribers that makes all users age-compatible.
3. The server's optimal strategy balances the tradeoff between increasing subscriptions and minimizing sampling costs, leading to different equilibrium solutions for the two network topologies.

Stats

The expected age at the server is given by xR = peβ - 1.
The expected age at a subscribing user is given by xS = peβ - 1 + 1.

Quotes

"The server wishes to maximize its profit by increasing subscriptions from users and minimizing event sampling frequency to reduce costs."
"This leads to a Stackelberg game between the server and the users where the sender is the leader deciding its sampling frequency and the users are the followers deciding their subscription strategies."

Key Insights Distilled From

Optimizing Profitability in Timely Gossip Networks

by Priy... at arxiv.org 05-02-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2405.00665.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How would the subscription strategies and the server's optimal profit change if the users had heterogeneous timeliness requirements

In a scenario where users have heterogeneous timeliness requirements, the subscription strategies and the server's optimal profit would likely undergo significant adjustments. Users with more stringent timeliness needs would be willing to pay a premium for quicker updates, leading to a potential tiered subscription model where users can choose different levels of service based on their individual requirements. This could result in the server optimizing its profit by offering different subscription tiers with varying costs and update frequencies to cater to the diverse needs of the user base. By segmenting users based on their timeliness preferences, the server can maximize its revenue by providing tailored services that align with each user's specific demands.

What are the implications of allowing the server to dynamically adjust its sampling frequency based on the current network state and user subscriptions

Allowing the server to dynamically adjust its sampling frequency based on the current network state and user subscriptions can have several implications. Firstly, this dynamic adaptation can lead to improved efficiency in resource utilization, as the server can allocate sampling resources more effectively based on the real-time demand from users. By monitoring the network state and subscription patterns, the server can optimize its sampling frequency to ensure timely updates while minimizing sampling costs. This flexibility enables the server to respond promptly to changes in user behavior and network conditions, enhancing the overall performance and profitability of the system. Additionally, dynamic adjustments can enhance user satisfaction by providing more responsive and personalized services, ultimately leading to increased user retention and loyalty.

How could the proposed framework be extended to consider the impact of network failures or adversarial attacks on the timely dissemination of information in the gossip network

Extending the proposed framework to consider the impact of network failures or adversarial attacks on the timely dissemination of information in the gossip network is crucial for ensuring the system's robustness and reliability. By incorporating mechanisms to handle network failures, such as redundant communication paths or error correction techniques, the system can maintain information flow even in challenging conditions. In the case of adversarial attacks, the framework could include security measures like encryption, authentication, and intrusion detection to safeguard the network from malicious activities. By integrating resilience and security features into the framework, the system can mitigate the effects of disruptions and threats, ensuring continuous and secure information dissemination in the gossip network. This comprehensive approach enhances the system's ability to withstand unforeseen events and malicious actions, safeguarding the integrity and timeliness of information delivery.