Revisiting Optimal Convergence Rate for Smooth and Non-convex Stochastic Decentralized Optimization
Not on the map. Why?
Abstract (arXiv)
Decentralized optimization is effective to save communication in large-scale machine learning. Although numerous algorithms have been proposed with theoretical guarantees and empirical successes, the performance limits in decentralized optimization, especially the influence of network topology and its associated weight matrix on the optimal convergence rate, have not been fully understood. While (Lu and Sa, 2021) have recently provided an optimal rate for non-convex stochastic decentralized optimization with weight matrices defined over linear graphs, the optimal rate with general weight matrices remains unclear. This paper revisits non-convex stochastic decentralized optimization and establishes an optimal convergence rate with general weight matrices. In addition, we also establish the optimal rate when non-convex loss functions further satisfy the Polyak-Lojasiewicz (PL) condition. Following existing lines of analysis in literature cannot achieve these results. Instead, we leverage the Ring-Lattice graph to admit general weight matrices while maintaining the optimal relation between the graph diameter and weight matrix connectivity. Lastly, we develop a new decentralized algorithm to nearly attain the above two optimal rates under additional mild conditions.
Key facts. Cited by 22 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Builds on 53 of its 93 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 14 Oct 2022.
Builds on
53 of 93 references.
References · 53
- 2015Deep Residual Learning for Image Recognitioncited by 51,809
- 2019PyTorch: An Imperative Style, High-Performance Deep Learning Librarycited by 20,160
- 2016Communication-Efficient Learning of Deep Networks from Decentralized Datacited by 7,592
- 2019On the Convergence of FedAvg on Non-IID Datacited by 1,220
- 2018Local SGD Converges Fast and Communicates Littlecited by 595
- 2016Linear Convergence of Gradient and Proximal-Gradient Methods Under the Polyak-Lojasiewicz Conditioncited by 526
- 2017Can Decentralized Algorithms Outperform Centralized Algorithms? A Case Study for Decentralized Parallel Stochastic Gradient Descentcited by 496
- 2019Bayesian Nonparametric Federated Learning of Neural Networkscited by 385
- 2020A Unified Theory of Decentralized SGD with Changing Topology and Local Updatescited by 361
- 2019Lower Bounds for Non-Convex Stochastic Optimizationcited by 303
- 2018SPIDER: Near-Optimal Non-Convex Optimization via Stochastic Path Integrated Differential Estimatorcited by 283
- 2019On the Linear Speedup Analysis of Communication Efficient Momentum SGD for Distributed Non-Convex Optimizationcited by 178
38 more
- 2014EXTRA: An Exact First-Order Algorithm for Decentralized Consensus Optimizationcited by 160
- 2017Asynchronous Decentralized Parallel Stochastic Gradient Descentcited by 159
- 2013On the Convergence of Decentralized Gradient Descentcited by 158
- 2018Stochastic Gradient Push for Distributed Deep Learningcited by 152
- 2016Achieving Geometric Convergence for Distributed Optimization over Time-Varying Graphscited by 149
- 2018D2: Decentralized Training over Decentralized Datacited by 140
- 2017Lower Bounds for Finding Stationary Points Icited by 125
- 2017Network Topology and Communication-Computation Tradeoffs in Decentralized Optimizationcited by 119
- 2016NEXT: In-Network Nonconvex Optimizationcited by 107
- 2019DoubleSqueeze: Parallel Stochastic Gradient Descent with Double-Pass Error-Compensated Compressioncited by 98
- 2017Optimal algorithms for smooth and strongly convex distributed optimization in networkscited by 81
- 2013Distributed optimization over time-varying directed graphscited by 77
- 2021Quasi-Global Momentum: Accelerating Decentralized Deep Learning on Heterogeneous Datacited by 69
- 2022An Improved Analysis of Gradient Tracking for Decentralized Machine Learningcited by 68
- 2019MATCHA: Speeding Up Decentralized SGD via Matching Decomposition Samplingcited by 67
- 2019Stochastic Distributed Learning with Gradient Quantization and Variance Reductioncited by 64
- 2020Optimal Complexity in Decentralized Trainingcited by 59
- 2013On the Linear Convergence of the ADMM in Decentralized Consensus Optimizationcited by 57
- 2017Lower Bounds for Finding Stationary Points II: First-Order Methodscited by 55
- 2018How To Make the Gradients Small Stochastically: Even Faster Convex and Nonconvex SGDcited by 55
- 2021Exponential Graph is Provably Efficient for Decentralized Deep Trainingcited by 55
- 2020An improved convergence analysis for decentralized online stochastic non-convex optimizationcited by 53
- 2017A decentralized proximal-gradient method with network independent step-sizes and separated convergence ratescited by 51
- 2017Exact Diffusion for Distributed Optimization and Learning --- Part I: Algorithm Developmentcited by 50
- 2020Optimal and Practical Algorithms for Smooth and Strongly Convex Decentralized Optimizationcited by 43
- 2021A Unified and Refined Convergence Analysis for Non-Convex Decentralized Learningcited by 43
- 2018Optimal Algorithms for Non-Smooth Distributed Optimization in Networkscited by 41
- 2021DecentLaM: Decentralized Momentum SGD for Large-batch Deep Trainingcited by 40
- 2022Lower Bounds and Nearly Optimal Algorithms in Distributed Learning with Communication Compressioncited by 33
- 2015An optimal randomized incremental gradient methodcited by 32
- 2019DADAM: A Consensus-based Distributed Adaptive Gradient Method for Online Optimizationcited by 30
- 2021Removing Data Heterogeneity Influence Enhances Network Topology Dependence of Decentralized SGDcited by 28
- 2018A Dual Approach for Optimal Algorithms in Distributed Optimization over Networkscited by 27
- 2021Accelerating Gossip SGD with Periodic Global Averagingcited by 25
- 2021Lower Bounds and Optimal Algorithms for Smooth and Strongly Convex Decentralized Optimization Over Time-Varying Networkscited by 19
- 2018Lower Bounds for Parallel and Randomized Convex Optimizationcited by 17
- 2020Towards accelerated rates for distributed optimization over time-varying networkscited by 10
- 2018Distributed Non-Convex First-Order Optimization and Information Processing: Lower Complexity Bounds and Rate Optimal Algorithmscited by 6
50 most cited of 53 All 53 (JSON)
Built on by
Citing papers per year: 2023: 7; 2024: 3; 2025: 6; 2026: 6.
22 papers.
Sort:
- 2023Unbiased Compression Saves Communication in Distributed Optimization: When and How Much?cited by 14
- 2023Convergence of Adam for Non-convex Objectives: Relaxed Hyperparameters and Non-ergodic Casecited by 13
- 2023Lower Bounds and Accelerated Algorithms in Distributed Stochastic Optimization with Communication Compressioncited by 11
- 2023CEDAS: A Compressed Decentralized Stochastic Gradient Method with Improved Convergencecited by 9
- 2023Optimal Multitask Linear Regression and Contextual Bandits under Sparse Heterogeneitycited by 7
- 2023On the Computation-Communication Trade-Off with A Flexible Gradient Tracking Approachcited by 4
- 2025DES-LOC: Desynced Low Communication Adaptive Optimizers for Training Foundation Modelscited by 3
- 2024On the Complexity of Finite-Sum Smooth Optimization under the Polyak-Lojasiewicz Conditioncited by 2
- 2024Quantization Avoids Saddle Points in Distributed Optimizationcited by 2
- 2025MT-DAO: Multi-Timescale Distributed Adaptive Optimizers with Local Updatescited by 2
- 2023Structured Cooperative Learning with Graphical Model Priorscited by 1
- 2024OledFL: Unleashing the Potential of Decentralized Federated Learning via Opposite Lookahead Enhancementcited by 1
10 more
- 2025Exploiting Similarity for Computation and Communication-Efficient Decentralized Optimizationcited by 1
- 2025Unveiling the Power of Multiple Gossip Steps: A Stability-Based Generalization Analysis in Decentralized Trainingcited by 1
- 2026Near-Optimal Decentralized Stochastic Nonconvex Optimization with Heavy-Tailed Noisecited by 1
- 2026Accelerated Decentralized Stochastic Gradient Descent for Strongly Convex Optimizationcited by 1
- 2025Decentralized Stochastic Nonconvex Optimization under the (L0,L1)-Smoothnesscited by 0
- 2025Pareto-optimal Trade-offs Between Communication and Computation with Flexible Gradient Trackingcited by 0
- 2026Topology-Independent Robustness of the Weighted Mean under Label Poisoning Attacks in Heterogeneous Decentralized Learningcited by 0
- 2026Provably Convergent Decentralized Optimization over Directed Graphs under Generalized Smoothnesscited by 0
- 2026Decentralized Non-convex Stochastic Optimization with Heterogeneous Variancecited by 0
- 2026Improved Convergence Analysis of Topology Dependence in Decentralized SGDcited by 0
- 2026Improved Convergence Analysis of Topology Dependence in Decentralized SGD8 Jun 2026
- 2026Accelerated Decentralized Stochastic Gradient Descent for Strongly Convex Optimization5 Jun 2026
- 2026Decentralized Non-convex Stochastic Optimization with Heterogeneous Variance12 Feb 2026
- 2026Near-Optimal Decentralized Stochastic Nonconvex Optimization with Heavy-Tailed Noise16 Jan 2026
- 2026Provably Convergent Decentralized Optimization over Directed Graphs under Generalized Smoothness7 Jan 2026
- 2026Topology-Independent Robustness of the Weighted Mean under Label Poisoning Attacks in Heterogeneous Decentralized Learning6 Jan 2026
- 2025Unveiling the Power of Multiple Gossip Steps: A Stability-Based Generalization Analysis in Decentralized Training9 Oct 2025
- 2025MT-DAO: Multi-Timescale Distributed Adaptive Optimizers with Local Updates6 Oct 2025
- 2025Pareto-optimal Trade-offs Between Communication and Computation with Flexible Gradient Tracking11 Sep 2025
- 2025Decentralized Stochastic Nonconvex Optimization under the (L0,L1)-Smoothness10 Sep 2025
- 2025Exploiting Similarity for Computation and Communication-Efficient Decentralized Optimization6 Jun 2025
- 2025DES-LOC: Desynced Low Communication Adaptive Optimizers for Training Foundation Models28 May 2025
10 more
- 2024OledFL: Unleashing the Potential of Decentralized Federated Learning via Opposite Lookahead Enhancement9 Oct 2024
- 2024Quantization Avoids Saddle Points in Distributed Optimization15 Mar 2024
- 2024On the Complexity of Finite-Sum Smooth Optimization under the Polyak-Lojasiewicz Condition4 Feb 2024
- 2023Convergence of Adam for Non-convex Objectives: Relaxed Hyperparameters and Non-ergodic Case20 Jul 2023
- 2023Structured Cooperative Learning with Graphical Model Priors16 Jun 2023
- 2023On the Computation-Communication Trade-Off with A Flexible Gradient Tracking Approach12 Jun 2023
- 2023Optimal Multitask Linear Regression and Contextual Bandits under Sparse Heterogeneity9 Jun 2023
- 2023Unbiased Compression Saves Communication in Distributed Optimization: When and How Much?25 May 2023
- 2023Lower Bounds and Accelerated Algorithms in Distributed Stochastic Optimization with Communication Compression12 May 2023
- 2023CEDAS: A Compressed Decentralized Stochastic Gradient Method with Improved Convergence14 Jan 2023
- 2023Unbiased Compression Saves Communication in Distributed Optimization: When and How Much?cited by 14
- 2023Convergence of Adam for Non-convex Objectives: Relaxed Hyperparameters and Non-ergodic Casecited by 13
- 2023Lower Bounds and Accelerated Algorithms in Distributed Stochastic Optimization with Communication Compressioncited by 11
- 2023CEDAS: A Compressed Decentralized Stochastic Gradient Method with Improved Convergencecited by 9
- 2023Optimal Multitask Linear Regression and Contextual Bandits under Sparse Heterogeneitycited by 7
- 2023On the Computation-Communication Trade-Off with A Flexible Gradient Tracking Approachcited by 4
- 2025DES-LOC: Desynced Low Communication Adaptive Optimizers for Training Foundation Modelscited by 3
- 2024On the Complexity of Finite-Sum Smooth Optimization under the Polyak-Lojasiewicz Conditioncited by 2
- 2024Quantization Avoids Saddle Points in Distributed Optimizationcited by 2
- 2025MT-DAO: Multi-Timescale Distributed Adaptive Optimizers with Local Updatescited by 2
- 2023Structured Cooperative Learning with Graphical Model Priorscited by 1
- 2024OledFL: Unleashing the Potential of Decentralized Federated Learning via Opposite Lookahead Enhancementcited by 1
12 most cited of 22 All 22 (JSON)
- 2026Improved Convergence Analysis of Topology Dependence in Decentralized SGD8 Jun 2026
- 2026Accelerated Decentralized Stochastic Gradient Descent for Strongly Convex Optimization5 Jun 2026
- 2026Decentralized Non-convex Stochastic Optimization with Heterogeneous Variance12 Feb 2026
- 2026Near-Optimal Decentralized Stochastic Nonconvex Optimization with Heavy-Tailed Noise16 Jan 2026
- 2026Provably Convergent Decentralized Optimization over Directed Graphs under Generalized Smoothness7 Jan 2026
- 2026Topology-Independent Robustness of the Weighted Mean under Label Poisoning Attacks in Heterogeneous Decentralized Learning6 Jan 2026
- 2025Unveiling the Power of Multiple Gossip Steps: A Stability-Based Generalization Analysis in Decentralized Training9 Oct 2025
- 2025MT-DAO: Multi-Timescale Distributed Adaptive Optimizers with Local Updates6 Oct 2025
- 2025Pareto-optimal Trade-offs Between Communication and Computation with Flexible Gradient Tracking11 Sep 2025
- 2025Decentralized Stochastic Nonconvex Optimization under the (L0,L1)-Smoothness10 Sep 2025
- 2025Exploiting Similarity for Computation and Communication-Efficient Decentralized Optimization6 Jun 2025
- 2025DES-LOC: Desynced Low Communication Adaptive Optimizers for Training Foundation Models28 May 2025
12 newest of 22 All 22 (JSON)