Patent attributes
An apparatus includes a processor and a storage storing instructions causing the processor to compare quantities of node devices storing partitions and of the partitions to determine whether the node device quantity is less than the partition quantity. In response to the node device quantity of node being less: for each stored copy of each partition, assign a cost to load the copy of the partition based at least on a size of the partition; add dummy node devices to cause the node device quantity to at least equal the partition quantity; for each dummy node device, assign a very high cost to load each partition; use MILP to derive a first pass assignment of a single copy of each partition to be loaded within either a node device or dummy node device; and transmit an indication of at least the first pass assignment to the node devices.