
arXiv: 1208.3667
Understanding network structure and having access to realistic graphs plays a central role in computer and social networks research. In this paper, we propose a complete, and practical methodology for generating graphs that resemble a real graph of interest. The metrics of the original topology we target to match are the joint degree distribution (JDD) and the degree-dependent average clustering coefficient ($\bar{c}(k)$). We start by developing efficient estimators for these two metrics based on a node sample collected via either independence sampling or random walks. Then, we process the output of the estimators to ensure that the target properties are realizable. Finally, we propose an efficient algorithm for generating topologies that have the exact target JDD and a $\bar{c}(k)$ close to the target. Extensive simulations using real-life graphs show that the graphs generated by our methodology are similar to the original graph with respect to, not only the two target metrics, but also a wide range of other topological metrics; furthermore, our generator is order of magnitudes faster than state-of-the-art techniques.
Social and Information Networks (cs.SI), FOS: Computer and information sciences, Physics - Physics and Society, physics.soc-ph, FOS: Physical sciences, Computer Science - Social and Information Networks, Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph), physics.data-an, Networking and Information Technology R&D (NITRD), Physics - Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability, cs.SI, Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability (physics.data-an)
Social and Information Networks (cs.SI), FOS: Computer and information sciences, Physics - Physics and Society, physics.soc-ph, FOS: Physical sciences, Computer Science - Social and Information Networks, Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph), physics.data-an, Networking and Information Technology R&D (NITRD), Physics - Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability, cs.SI, Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability (physics.data-an)
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 25 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
