In emerging network virtualization architectures, service providers will be able to create many heterogeneous virtual networks and offer customized end-to-end services by leasing shared resources from infrastructure providers. The Virtual Network Embedding (VNE) problem is central to such technology. It involves the proper allocation of CPU and bandwidth resources available in a physical substrate network to meet the demands of multiple virtual networks. Combinatorially, the VNE problem is a problem in resource ma…