Mobile Agents in Networking and Distributed Computing

The book focuses on mobile agents, which are computer programs that can autonomously migrate between network sites. This text introduces the concepts and principles of mobile agents, provides an overview of mobile agent technology, and focuses on applications in networking and distributed computing.

Foreword ix

Preface xi

Contributors xiii

Part I Introduction 1

1 Mobile Agents and Applications in Networking and Distributed Computing 3

Part II Principles of Applying Mobile Agents 17

2 Mobile Agent Communications 19

3 Distributed Security Algorithms for Mobile Agents 41

4 Mobile Agent Coordination 71

5 Cooperating Mobile Agents 93

Part III Mobile Agent Based Techniques and Applications 127

6 Network Routing 129

7 Resource and Service Discovery 161

8 Distributed Control 189

9 Distributed Databases and Transaction Processing 219

10 Mobile Agents in Mobile and Wireless Computing 243

Part IV Design And Evaluation 263

11 Naplet: Microkernel and Pluggable Design of Mobile Agent Systems 265

12 Performance Evaluation of Mobile Agent Platforms and Comparison with Client–Server Technologies 299

Index 323

Jiannong Cao is currently Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Computing at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research interests include parallel and distributed computing, computer networks, mobile and pervasive computing, fault tolerance, and middleware. He is an active researcher, publishing extensively in the above areas and serving as the editor of well-known journals and the chair of conference organizing committees.

Sajal K. Das is a University Distinguished Scholar Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and Founding Director of CReWMaN at The University of Texas at Arlington. He has significantly contributed to wireless and sensor networks, mobile and pervasive computing, distributed and cloud computing, smart environments and cyber-physical systems, security and privacy, biological and social networks.

Mobile Agents in Networking and Distributed Computing

This book simplifies the development of networks and distributed systems and improves their performance using mobile agent technology

Mobile Agents in Networking and Distributed Computing explores mobile agents, sophisticated computer programs that can autonomously migrate between network sites and between computers. The authors begin with an overview of the most current mobile agent technology in use today. Next, they guide readers through the key concepts and principles of mobile agents. Finally, they present the most recent applications of mobile agents in networking and distributed computing, including e-commerce, information retrieval, process coordination, mobile computing, personal assistance, and network management.

Key Features:

• Explains how mobile agents streamline the development of networks and distributed systems
• Shows how mobile agents can dramatically improve the performance of networks and distributed systems
• Explores a broad range of mobile agent applications in networks and distributed systems
• Offers a systematic overview of the latest mobile agent technology
• Introduces all of the key concepts and principles that readers need to know in order to take full advantage of mobile agents

This book is recommended for graduate students in telecommunications, networking, and distributed computing fields. Presenting all the latest technology, it also serves as a reference for professionals in the field.