Ignac Lovrek

A framework for multiuser distributed virtual environments

A framework for multi-user distributed virtual environments (DVEs) has been proposed. The proposed framework, incorporating two models (the functional model and the interconnection model), attempts to represent the common functionality, communication issues and requirements found in multi-user DVEs. The functional model concentrates on the DVEs functionality, while the interconnection model concentrates on how the components are interconnected to realize the required functionality. The models have been specified using the Unified Modeling Language (UML). An experimental case study demonstrates the applicability and generality of the proposed approach.

Mobile agent based software operation and maintenance

The paper deals with a mobile agent based software operation and maintenance. Remote maintenance shell is described as the protected environment allowing software installation, modification and verification on the remote target system, without suspending its regular operation. It is based on the remote operations performed by mobile agents. Multiagent system with collaborative mobile agents, supporting software maintenance, and its architecture are elaborated. Remote maintenance shell implementation in one maintenance session is included.

Agent team coordination in the mobile agent network

The paper deals with coordination of an agent team with mobile agents. A formal model based on the Mobile Agent Network is proposed. It elaborates a shared plan through the process that allows team formation according to tasks complexity and characteristics of a distributed environment where they should be performed. A case study describing the multi-agent system with mobile and intelligent agents for software management is included.

Improving software maintenance by using agent-based remote maintenance shell

The paper deals with a method developed for software maintenance called remote maintenance shell. It allows software installation, modification and verification on the remote target system without suspending its regular operation. The method is based on remote operations performed by mobile agents. The role of remote maintenance shell in software maintenance is elaborated, as well as its architecture. A case study on version replacement of an object-oriented application is included.

Scheduling problems in parallel systems for telecommunications

The scheduling of the large number of tasks with various cooperation modes poses interesting theoretical problems in parallel systems used in telecommunications. Such systems are fully distributed ones, preventing coherent observability. In such systems no absolute time-space reference exists. The theoretically optimal set of local references is given as the limiting factor for the incoherent observability. The failures and/or modifications inherent in the massively parallel systems may change their configurations dynamically. Thus no optimal algorithms can be developed for the effective utilization of the resources available in such a system. The influence of the granularity level and of the cooperation modes of the processes on scheduling are investigated in order to identify areas for further study.ZusammenfassungDas Scheduling einer großcn Anzahl von Tasks mit verschiedenen Kooperationsmoden verursacht interessante theoretische Probleme in parallelen Systemen, so wie sie in der Telekommunikation vorkommen. Diese Systeme sind voll verteilt, was die kohärente Beobachtungsfähigkeit verhindert. In diesen Systemen existiert keine absolute Zeit-Raum Referenz. Die theoretisch optimale Menge der lokalen Referenzen definiert die Schranke der inkohärenten Beobachtungsfähigkeit. Die Ausfälle oder/und Veränderungen, die für massiv parallele Systeme charakteristisch sind, können deren Konfiguration dynamisch modifizieren. Deshalb ist es nicht möglich, optimale Algorithmen für die effektive Nutzung der verfügbaren Ressourcen zu entwickeln. Der Einfluß des Granularitätsniveaus und der Kooperationsmoden der Prozesse auf das Scheduling wird aufgezeigt, um für weitere Untersuchungen eine Grundlage zu bilden.

Generic model of a mobile agent network suitable for performance evaluation

Deals with a generic model of a mobile agent network that includes a multi-agent system and a set of processing nodes connected by a communication network. A mobile agent network is described as a queuing system where mobile agents represent the information units that must be served. Network flows related to agent hosting and migration and the serving capabilities of processing nodes are proposed. The response time defining an interval between acquiring the request and producing the response is defined as a performance measure for a mobile agent network. A case study discussing response time evaluation is included.

Agent behaviour in double auction electronic market for communication resources

The paper deals with behaviour of trading agents with the lowest level of bounded rationality on an electronic market where the double auction is applied as a trading mechanism. Two types of double auction have been considered: the clearing house and the continuous double auction. The agent behaviour is modelled using business strategies based on adaptive learning algorithms and imitation which is governed by replicator dynamics from evolutionary game theory. A case study describing optical bandwidth trading on the double auction electronic market is analyzed.

Multi-agent system for automation of B2C processes in the future internet

The concept of new generation network (NGN) will define roles and relationships in the future Internet. The fierce competition among players in the Information and Communication (ICT) industry will just catalyze market redefinition processes, requesting from operators to promptly innovate their business models. The consumers lifestyle will also change: individual users will be interested only in services that are intelligent (i.e., personalized and context-aware), dynamic (i.e., innovative and fun) and mobile (i.e., provisioned anytime and anywhere). A number of latest research incentives in the ICT domain are focused on automation and coordination of interactions between individual consumers and Internet service providers (ISPs). The research proposed in this paper aims to pursue similar ideas while creating a multi-agent system for automation of Business-to-Consumer (B2C) processes in the environment of the future Internet.

Grid Service Management by Using Remote Maintenance Shell

This paper presents a method called Remote Maintenance Shell (RMS) developed for Grid service management. It allows service management and maintenance of several versions without suspending its regular operation. The method is based on the remote operations performed by mobile agents. The RMS prototype implemented as a multi-agent system with stationary and mobile multi-operation agents is elaborated. A case study of monitoring service managing in the Grid system is included.

An agent-based platform for ad-hoc social networking

Social network services such as Facebook, MySpace or Twitter support more or less permanent social relationships, where user interaction takes place via fixed or mobile access to the Internet. However, in many situations social relationships are ad-hoc (i.e., set up by (mobile) users located in a limited geographical area during a certain period in time). To effectively support this kind of social relationships, we propose an extension of basic social networking model - the ad-hoc social networking. This paper defines the model for ad-hoc social networking, describes functionalities and architecture of a platform for ad-hoc social networking and explains why software agents are opportune technology for platform implementation. Finally, paper presents several applications of ad-hoc social networking.