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arXiv · 0906.0557

An Axiomatic Theory of Fairness in Network Resource Allocation

Tian Lan·David Kao·Mung Chiang·Ashutosh Sabharwal
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Abstract

We present a set of five axioms for fairness measures in resource allocation. A family of fairness measures satisfying the axioms is constructed. Well-known notions such as alpha-fairness, Jain's index, and entropy are shown to be special cases. Properties of fairness measures satisfying the axioms are proven, including Schur-concavity. Among the engineering implications is a generalized Jain's index that tunes the resolution of the fairness measure, a new understanding of alpha-fair utility functions, and an interpretation of "larger alpha is more fair". We also construct an alternative set of four axioms to capture efficiency objectives and feasibility constraints.

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Tian Lan, David Kao, Mung Chiang, Ashutosh Sabharwal. 2009-10-07. An Axiomatic Theory of Fairness in Network Resource Allocation. https://arxiv.org/abs/0906.0557

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