1. Platforms for Multi-Agent Systems
Dan Harkey
Director, Client/Server Computing Program

2. Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)
An Introduction
Dan Harkey
Director, Client/Server Program, COE SJSU
24 years at IBM
Co-authored award winning and best-selling books on n-tier client/server systems, distributed objects, Java, and components
Currently writing a book titled Wireless Java Programming for Enterprise Applications
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

3. The Client/Server Program
Graduate program started in Jan 96 by Robert Orfali and Dan Harkey
Focuses on Enterprise Application Development using state of the art technologies, methodologies, and concepts:
Components and Distributed Objects
Internet
Wireless
Database
XML/Web Services
Java (J2SE, J2EE, J2ME)
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

4. The Client/Server Program (continued)
Eight graduate level classes
Several hundred students in program
Well-published faculty with deep industry connections
BEA Systems, Borland, IBM, Oracle, Zhanra
See for more detail
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

5. Some Requirements for a Multi-Agent System Platform
Needs to be standards based
Communication
Data access
Programming model
Should have a rich toolset
Should be accepted in Industry
Should have capabilities from handheld devices to enterprise level computing
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

6. Potential Platforms for Multi-Agent Systems
CORBA
Java/J2EE
Microsoft .NET
Roll-your-own solution
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

7. Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)
The CORBA Solution
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

8. CORBA Characteristics
Distributed object computing model
IDL object interface definitions
Services for discovery, persistence, security, events, etc.
Multilingual, Multiplatform
Several target implementations
Base
Realtime
Minimal
Provides infrastructure for J2EE
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

9. CORBA Advantages/Disadvantages
Multilingual
Multiplatform
Relatively lightweight
Good for infrastructure applications
Like systems management applications
Disadvantages
Integration required
Not primary programming model in industry
Two primary vendors: Borland and Iona
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

10. Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)
The J2EE solution
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

11. Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)
J2EE Characteristics
Component model for client (JavaBeans), Web (Servlet/JSP), application components (Enterprise JavaBeans)
Synchronous/asynchronous communication models
Java Only
Container hosts executing components
Provides lifecycle, persistence, security services
CORBA underpinnings for interoperability
Frequently used for Web Services implementation
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

12. J2EE Advantages/Disadvantages
Industry momentum
BEA, IBM, Oracle, Borland, Sun, etc etc
Integrated solution
Available on many platforms
Numerous tools
Clear programming model
Ubiquitous access to data (via connectors)
Internet centric
Clustering/Failover solutions
Disadvantages
Inflexible programming model
Heavyweight infrastructure
Java only
Can be pricey
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

13. The Microsoft .NET Solution
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

14. Microsoft Solution Characteristics
High level programming model
Extensive toolset
Multilingual
Synchronous/Asynchronous communications models
Varied data access
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

15. Microsoft Solution Advantages/Disadvantages
Simple programming model
Multilingual
Extensive Web Services integration
Disadvantages
Single vendor solution
Relatively new, immature
Targeted to Microsoft OS platforms
“Rental” licensing
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

16. The Roll-Your-Own Solution: A Case Study
Jumping Beans® by Aramira Corporation
Mobile agent framework
Lightweight: handheld device on up
Build mobile agents
"Itinerary"
Mobile agent does not require pre-installation on target
Extensive security (patents pending)
Implemented in Java (moves Java and non-Java apps)
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

17. Jumping Beans Overview
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

18. Contributing factors for developing a Roll-Your-Own Implementation
Some problems cited that forced Jumping Beans to a roll-your-own solution
Threading requirements
Inadequate security model
Inflexible message format and process control models
Inflexible Primary Key design
Licensing
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

19. Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)
Summary
Several platform choices, each with enticing characteristics (and drawbacks)
Choice will be driven by implementation domain and choice of agent type
Expertise available at SJSU COE to navigate through platform choices
Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)