Network Coding for Resource Redistribution in a Unicast Network

In this paper, we explore the use of network coding as method for redistributing resources to achieve capacity in twouser unicast networks. We introduce a simple network example, which we call the extended butterfly network, whose structure illustrates the idea of resource swapping, and demonstrates possible issues related to user incentives for network coding. We show that for such a network, it is possible to construct a combination network coding/routing scheme that 1) achieves capacity of the network by employing network coding as a way to redistribute misplaced network resources, and 2) facilitates cooperation among users by creating a stable rate allocation in which users have no incentive to deviate from the network coding scheme.