Distributed algorithms for covering, packing and maximum weighted matching

This paper gives poly-logarithmic-round, distributed D-approximation algorithms for covering problems with submodular cost and monotone covering constraints (Submodular-cost Covering). The approximation ratio D is the maximum number of variables in any constraint. Special cases include Covering Mixed Integer Linear Programs (CMIP), and Weighted Vertex Cover (with D=2). Via duality, the paper also gives poly-logarithmic-round, distributed D-approximation algorithms for Fractional Packing linear programs (where D is the maximum number of constraints in which any variable occurs), and for Max Weighted c-Matching in hypergraphs (where D is the maximum size of any of the hyperedges; for graphs D=2). The paper also gives parallel (RNC) 2-approximation algorithms for CMIP with two variables per constraint and Weighted Vertex Cover. The algorithms are randomized. All of the approximation ratios exactly match those of comparable centralized algorithms.