Synthesizing optimal bias in randomized self-stabilization

Randomization is a key concept in distributed computing to tackle impossibility results. This also holds for self-stabilization in anonymous networks where coin flips are often used to break symmetry. Although the use of randomization in self-stabilizing algorithms is rather common, it is unclear what the optimal coin bias is so as to minimize the expected convergence time. This paper proposes a technique to automatically synthesize this optimal coin bias. Our algorithm is based on a parameter synthesis approach from the field of probabilistic model checking. It over- and under-approximates a given parameter region and iteratively refines the regions with minimal convergence time up to the desired accuracy. We describe the technique in detail and present a simple parallelization that gives an almost linear speed-up. We show the applicability of our technique to determine the optimal bias for the well-known Herman’s self-stabilizing token ring algorithm. Our synthesis obtains that for small rings, a fair coin is optimal, whereas for larger rings a biased coin is optimal where the bias grows with the ring size. We also analyze a variant of Herman’s algorithm that coincides with the original algorithm but deviates for biased coins. Finally, we show how using speed reducers in Herman’s protocol improve the expected convergence time.