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Understanding decentralised control of resource allocation in a minimal multi-agent system

Understanding decentralised control of resource allocation in a minimal multi-agent system
Understanding decentralised control of resource allocation in a minimal multi-agent system
Utility computing exemplifies a novel kind of solution to the increasing scale and complexity of modern IT systems. Here, the “on-demand” provisioning of computing resources is managed via a population of independent software agents that query and negotiate with one another in an open system of resource providers and consumers that has no fixed organisation and is free to change and grow organically. Where centralised executive control of agent activity is relaxed or removed, such systems have the potential to deliver scalable, flexible computing. However, major design and control challenges must be overcome if multi-agent systems are to achieve efficient, decentralised resource allocation that delivers reliable and robust performance. In this paper we introduce a minimally complex multi-agent system, where individual agents rely on simple, local strategies to perform resource allocation. We explore the relationship between local and global behaviour as system size, load, heterogeneity and reliability are varied. We identify generic feedbacks underlying system behaviour that must be balanced if decentralised control is to become an effective technique for preserving stable functionality across utility computing infrastructures.
agents, decentralized control, self-organisation, complex systems, emergence
Jacyno, Mariusz
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Bullock, Seth
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Luck, Michael
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Payne, Terry
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Jacyno, Mariusz
9a75bc99-5536-47b4-9342-741e0bffcef9
Bullock, Seth
2ad576e4-56b8-4f31-84e0-51bd0b7a1cd3
Luck, Michael
94f6044f-6353-4730-842a-0334318e6123
Payne, Terry
0bb13d45-2735-45a3-b72c-472fddbd0bb4

Jacyno, Mariusz, Bullock, Seth, Luck, Michael and Payne, Terry (2007) Understanding decentralised control of resource allocation in a minimal multi-agent system. the 6th International Joint Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multi-agent Systems, Hawaii, United States.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)

Abstract

Utility computing exemplifies a novel kind of solution to the increasing scale and complexity of modern IT systems. Here, the “on-demand” provisioning of computing resources is managed via a population of independent software agents that query and negotiate with one another in an open system of resource providers and consumers that has no fixed organisation and is free to change and grow organically. Where centralised executive control of agent activity is relaxed or removed, such systems have the potential to deliver scalable, flexible computing. However, major design and control challenges must be overcome if multi-agent systems are to achieve efficient, decentralised resource allocation that delivers reliable and robust performance. In this paper we introduce a minimally complex multi-agent system, where individual agents rely on simple, local strategies to perform resource allocation. We explore the relationship between local and global behaviour as system size, load, heterogeneity and reliability are varied. We identify generic feedbacks underlying system behaviour that must be balanced if decentralised control is to become an effective technique for preserving stable functionality across utility computing infrastructures.

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More information

Published date: 2007
Additional Information: Event Dates: 2007
Venue - Dates: the 6th International Joint Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multi-agent Systems, Hawaii, United States, 2007-01-01
Keywords: agents, decentralized control, self-organisation, complex systems, emergence
Organisations: Agents, Interactions & Complexity

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 263384
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/263384
PURE UUID: 4a683407-1244-4ca0-bfa4-55deed10d3c8

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 06 Feb 2007
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 07:31

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Contributors

Author: Mariusz Jacyno
Author: Seth Bullock
Author: Michael Luck
Author: Terry Payne

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