The CoABS Grid

The CoABS Grid integrates heterogeneous agent-based systems, object-based applications, and legacy systems. The CoABS Grid does not mandate the network protocol used to deliver messages to an agent or the agent communication language. A CoABS Grid agent registers a proxy object supporting a well-known message-delivery interface in a lookup service. Default proxy implementations are provided that use Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI) and RMI over Secure Socket Layer as the network protocol. Lookup of agents based on agent type and agent capability advertisements is supported. The CoABS Grid provides a simple, agent-specific application programming interface, layered over the Jini(tm) Network Technology developed by Sun Microsystems. However, it also exposes the underlying Jini(tm) application programming interface for the advanced developer. The CoABS Grid provides support for mobile agent systems by allowing the creation of CoABS Grid agents that may be transported across the network, resuming operation in a new location.