A Software Agent Architecture for Network Management: Case Studies
Morsy M. Cheikhrouhou
Corporate Communications Dept.
Institut Eurecom
BP193
06904 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - France
Email: morsy_AT_ieee.org
Pierre Conti
Corporate Communications Dept.
Institut Eurecom
BP193
06904 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - France
Email: conti_AT_ieee.org
Karina Marcus
Corporate Communications Dept.
Institut Eurecom
BP193
06904 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - France
Email: Karina.Marcus_AT_eurecom.fr
Jacques Labetoulle
Corporate Communications Dept.
Institut Eurecom
BP193
06904 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - France
Email: Jacques.Labetoulle_AT_eurecom.fr
Abstract
Current Network Management paradigms are rigid and lack
flexibility. This makes the task of managing a highly evolving and
dynamic network difficult to cope with. This paper presents the results
of our work on Agent technology as a new paradigm for developing Network
Management applications. First we present our agent architecture that is
built in a way that allows the agent to acquire new capabilities at
runtime. Second we present two case studies implemented with a prototype
of this agent architecture. The first one consists of an agent system in
which faulty agents are automatically detected, their tasks then being
reallocated to other agents, thus providing a fault tolerant management
system. The second case study deals with the configuration of
heterogeneous ATM networks to establish end-to-end permanent virtual
channels. Finally, we evaluate our agent architecture and the agent
paradigm in general when applied to Network Management.
Keywords: Skill-based Agents, Domain Management, Reliability, ATM Management
JNSM: Vol. 8, No. 3, 2000
A Software Agent Architecture for Network Management: Case Studies [Vol. 8, No. 3, 2000]
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