US Patent 10374866 Moving nodes in a distributed system

Techniques for improving communications efficiency between pairs of communication nodes running within a computer system are described herein. Potential locations for placing a communication node are evaluated using one or more fitness values wherein the fitness value is based at least in part on one or more system metrics associated with placing a communication node in the potential location. If an improved location is found based on the fitness value, the communication node may be migrated to the new location, thus improving system efficiency.