Reliable multi-agent systems with persistent publish/subscribe messaging

Abstract

A persistent publish/subscribe messaging model allows the creation of an application-independent fault-tolerant layer for multi-agent systems. We propose a layer which is capable of supporting heterogenous agent platforms from different vendors. This layer is a three-tier application, which is accessible from multi-agent systems via web-services or a persistent publish/subscribe messaging system. We describe the design of the fault-tolerant layer, its messaging system, as well as the algorithm of fault-recovery procedure in the case of agent and/or host death. We also present performance analysis of the proposed solution, to justify its use in systems which demand different levels of reliability. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.