Jeffrey K. MacKie-Mason

The Case for Market-based Push Caching (Download full paper)

MacKie-Mason, Jeffrey K. Chan, Yee Man Womer, Jonathan Jamin, Sugih

Published on: November, 1999

Biased Replacement Policies for Web Caches: Differential Quality-of-Service and Aggregate User Value (Download full paper)

MacKie-Mason, Jeffrey K. Kelly, Terence P. Chan, Yee Man Jamin, Sugih

Published on: January, 1999

Abstract: Disk space in shared Web caches can be diverted to serve some system users at the expense of others. Cache hits reduce server loads, and if servers desire load reduction to different degrees, a replacement policy which prioritizes cache space across servers can provide differential quality-of-service (QoS). We present a simple generalization of least-frequently-used (LFU) replacement that is sensitive to varying levels of server valuation for cache hits. Through trace-driven simulation we show that under a particular assumption about server valuations our algorithm delivers a reasonable QoS relationship: higher byte hit rates for servers that value hits more. We furthermore adopt the economic perspective that value received by system users is a more appropriate performance metric than hit rate or byte hit rate, and demonstrate that our algorithm delivers higher "social welfare" (aggregate value to servers) than LRU or LFU.

Network Architecture and Content Provision: An Economic Analysis (Download full paper)

MacKie-Mason, Jeffrey K., Scott Shenker and Hal Varian

Published on: January, 1996

Abstract: An earlier version of Service Architecture and Content Provision, as presented at the Telecom Policy Research Conference 1995. There are some additional mathematical examples, and a short section on the effects of architecture on content creation that we did not include in the published version.

Pricing Congestible Resources (Download full paper)

MacKie-Mason, Jeffrey K. and Hal Varian

Published on: September, 1995

Abstract: We describe the basic economic theory of pricing a congestible resource such as an ftp server, a router, a Web site, etc. In particular, we examine the implications of "congestion pricing" as a way to encourage efficient use of network resources. We explore the implications of flat pricing and congestion pricing for capacity expansion in centrally planned, competitive, and monopolistic environments

Feedback And Efficiency In ATM Networks (Download full paper)

Murphy, Liam, John Murphy, and Jeffrey K. MacKie-Mason

Abstract: Admission control and congestion control can provide performance guarantees in ATM networks. However some users may not be able to describe their traffic accurately enough for the network to provide these guarantees. By sending a dynamic feedback signal about the current utilization of network resources, the network could provide some guarantees to adaptive users who respond appropriately: this is the basis of ABR service. We outline a user-oriented framework for network operation and control, explicitly defining how such feedback is generated by the network and what form it takes. We show through simulations that it is possible to simultaneously gain both network and economic efficiency by using a form of feedback we call responsive pricing, which is compatible with current ATM Forum UNI specifications.

The Role of Responsive Pricing in the Internet (Download full paper)

MacKie-Mason, Jeffrey K., Liam Murphy and John Murphy

Abstract: The recent introduction of user-friendly navigation and retrieval tools for the World Wide Web has triggered an unprecedented level of interest in the Internet among the media and the general public, as well as in the technical community. It seems inevitable that some changes or additions are needed in the control mechanisms used to allocate usage of Internet resources. We argue that a feedback signal in the form of a variable price for network service is a workable tool to aid network operators in controlling Internet traffic. We suggest that these prices should vary dynamically based on the current utilization of network resources. We show how this responsive pricing puts control of network service back where it belongs: with the users.

Some Economics of the Internet (Download full paper)

MacKie-Mason, Jeffrey K. and Hal Varian

Abstract: This paper overlaps substantially with the paper Pricing the Internet. We describe the history, technology and costs of the Internet (at greater length than in "Pricing"). We describe a "smart market" for pricing Internet congestion. There is more attention to the smart market, and less to other pricing considerations, than in "Pricing."

Economic FAQs About the Internet (Download full paper)

MacKie-Mason, Jeffrey K. and Hal Varian

Abstract: We present some economic FAQs about the Internet in question-and-answer format. Updated, Summer 1995.

Pricing the Internet (Download full paper)

MacKie-Mason, Jeffrey K. and Hal Varian

Abstract: We describe the technology and costs of the Internet, then discuss how to design efficient pricing in order to allocate scarce Internet resources. We offer a "smart market" as a device to efficiently price congestion.

Some FAQs about Usage-Based Pricing (Download full paper)

MacKie-Mason, Jeffrey K. and Hal Varian

Abstract: Written for WWW '94 (Chicago). We answer some frequently asked questions about usage-sensitive pricing for Internet resources.