Platforms for Multi-Agent Systems Dan Harkey Director, Client/Server Computing Program dharkey@email.sjsu.edu

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)

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)

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 http://cslab.engr.sjsu.edu for more detail Networked – Agents and Intelligent Software Agents Group (NISA)

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)