An active domain node architecture for the semantic web

Abstract

We present an architecture for application nodes for the Semantic Web (SWAN). The underlying principle in Swan is the specification of actions and events as dynamic aspects of the application. This complements the framework Modular Active Rules for the Semantic Web (MARS), where the communication between services is based on the notions of events and (requests of) domain-level actions. Such a model allows to define workflows on the ontology level. While MARS offers the service infrastructure needed for processing the workflow, SWAN is an architecture for applications in a rule-driven environment. Basically, SWAN consists of a hybrid OWL/F-Logic knowledge base, augmented with active rules. Using SWAN, only a set of rules is needed in order to deploy a new application. A prototype implementation of the architecture exists that shows the flexibility and applicability of its concepts. © Springer-Verlag 2009.