Coordinating Multi-Agents using JavaSpaces

Gang Chen, Zhonghua Yang, Hao He, Kiah Mok Goh

Abstract: In recent years, multiagent systems have become a new attractive paradigm for developing Internet-based enterprise applications. In this paper, we investigate the agent coordination issue of multiagent systems. We explore the emerging JavaSpace technology for achieving coordination within a multi-level supply chain management environment. JavaSpace is a recent realization of the classic Linda model. The tuple space of the Linda model provides a convenient way for agent communication and coordination. The coordination protocol for the supply chain management system is presented. The protocol is designed based on JavaSpace, and is described using colored Petri nets. We argue that the emerging JavaSpaces technology provides a convenient, yet flexible approach to agent coordination in multiagent system environment.