Laying down the foundations of an agent modelling methodology for Fault-Tolerant Multi-Agent Systems

Abstract

Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) are designed to solve problems, sometimes in unstable environments. Each agent in a MAS can play a set of roles; it may be prone to failure, which may cause a system failure. As a result, agents may become unavailable and some roles may be left unfilled (thereafter called missing roles). Unfortunately, there are not always backup agents ready to replace unavailable ones. In this case, the MAS must reorganize itself in order to achieve its objectives by assigning missing roles to the remaining agents. We propose an agent modelling methodology for Eault-Tolerant Multi-Agent Systems based on MAS reorganization. By taking into account the environment in the modelling phases of the system, we can anticipate different critical situations that could occur in the environment and that could have an impact on the MAS organization. Hence, we can propose an appropriate MAS re-organization so that the system continues to operate correctly. We know that it is impossible to consider all the different situations that can happen in the environment, but we can consider those that are predictable and critical. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2004.