Co-operating mobile agents for distributed parallel processing

Abstract

This paper describes a novel approach to dynamic distributed parallel processing using a mobile agent-based infrastructure. Our goal is to extend the concept of the Parallel Virtual Machine architecture by using a combination of collaborative and mobile software agents to enable automatic and dynamic configuration of distributed processes. Our approach to distributed processing is regulated by a two-tier management system. At the strategic level, an anchored centralized agent is responsible for managing user interaction and determining how tasks are to be distributed. Whilst the mobile agents who deliver code to remote machines, manage local processing at an operational level. We therefore developed specialized mobile agents, each performing particular roles, which co-operate as a team to achieve user defined goals. The resulting system provides users with a much simpler means of utilizing the power of distributed parallel computing.