Content based routing as the basis for intra-agent communication
Nikolaos Skarmeas and Keith L. Clark
Abstract
In this paper, an agent architecture is proposed that can be used to
integrate pre-existing components that provide the domain dependent agent
functionality. The key integrating feature of the agent is an active message
board that is used for inter-component, hence intra-agent communication.
The board is active because it automatically forwards messages to components,
they do not have to poll the message board.
It does this on the basis of message pattern functions that components place
on the board using advertisement messages. These functions can contain
component provided semantic tests on the content of the message, they can also
communicate with any other component whilst they are being applied.
In addition an agent management toolkit, called ALFA, is described
which offers a set of agent management services.
This toolkit consists of a number of servers for storing the code
of the components and symbolic descriptions of what agents regarding
their component makeup.
A third server uses all this information to facilitate launching new agents.
Presented at the ATAL98 WS, Paris.
To appear (revised) in: Intelligent Agents V, LNCS, Springer-Verlag
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