We present improved results for approximating Maximum Independent Set ( @math ) in the standard LOCAL and CONGEST models of distributed computing. Let @math and @math be the number of nodes and maximum degree in the input graph, respectively. Bar- [PODC 2017] showed that there is an algorithm in the CONGEST model that finds a @math -approximation to @math in @math rounds, where @math is the running time for finding a independent set, and @math is the maximum weight of a node in the network. Whether their algorithm is randomized or deterministic depends on the @math algorithm that they use as a black-box. Our results: (1) A deterministic @math rounds algorithm for @math -approximation to @math in the CONGEST model. (2) A randomized @math rounds algorithm that finds, with high probability, an @math -approximation to @math in the CONGEST model. (3) An @math lower bound for any randomized algorithm that finds an independent set of size @math that succeeds with probability at least @math , even for the LOCAL model. This hardness result applies for graphs of maximum degree @math . One might wonder whether the same hardness result applies for low degree graphs. We rule out this possibility with our next result. (4) An @math rounds algorithm that finds an independent set of size @math in graphs with maximum degree @math , with high probability. Due to a lower bound of @math that was given by Kuhn, Moscibroda and Wattenhofer [JACM, 2016] on the number of rounds for finding a maximal independent set ( @math ) in the LOCAL model, even for randomized algorithms, our second result implies that finding an @math -approximation to @math is strictly easier than @math .
We show that the first phase of the Linial-Saks network decomposition algorithm gives a randomized distributed O(ne)-approximation algorithm for the maximum independent set problem that operates in O(1 e) rounds, and we give a matching lower bound that holds even for bipartite graphs. We bound the performance guarantees that follow from Turan-like bounds for unweighted and weighted independent sets in bounded-degree graphs. In particular, a randomized approach of Boppana forms a simple 1-round distributed algorithm, as well as a streaming and preemptive online algorithm. We show it gives a tight (( +1) 2 )-approximation in unweighted graphs of maximum degree ( ), which is best possible for 1-round distributed algorithms. For weighted graphs, it gives only a (( +1) )-approximation, but a simple modification results in an asymptotic expected (0.529 ( +1) )-approximation. This compares with a recent, more complex ( )-approximation [6], which holds deterministically. Independent sets play a central role in distributed algorithmics. We examine here the minimal requirements for computing non-trivial independent sets. In particular, we focus on algorithms that operate in a single communication round. A classic result of Linial shows that a constant number of rounds does not suffice to compute a maximal independent set. We are therefore interested in the size of the solution that can be computed, especially in comparison to the optimal. Our main result is a randomized one-round algorithm that achieves poly-logarithmic approximation on graphs of polynomially bounded-independence. Specifically, we show that the algorithm achieves the Caro-Wei bound (an extension of the Turan bound for independent sets) in general graphs up to a constant factor, and that the Caro-Wei bound yields a poly-logarithmic approximation on bounded-independence graphs. The algorithm uses only a single bit message and operates in a beeping model, where a node receives only the disjunction of the bits transmitted by its neighbors. We give limitation results that show that these are the minimal requirements for obtaining non-trivial solutions. In particular, a sublinear approximation cannot be obtained in a single round on general graphs, nor when nodes cannot both transmit and receive messages. We also show that our analysis of the Caro-Wei bound on polynomially bounded-independence graphs is tight, and that the poly-logarithmic approximation factor does not extend to @math O(1)-claw free graphs.