Management of heterogeneous networks with intelligent agents

Even as statements about the challenges facing managers of heterogeneous networks seem like cliche scholars keep giving the emerging problems increasing attention. The unpredictable nature and dynamism of networks require that new means be explored to address the consequent nondeterministic behaviors. The studies conducted thus far in our ongoing work on a Lucent-grown agent platform, the Lucent Intelligent Network Agent (LucINA), and its applications indicate that intelligent agents constitute an attractive technology to address these issues. Agents communicate ata high level of abstraction using an agent communication language (ACL). The language provides a universal wrapper for specific content and a capability to negotiate communication means including language, protocol, and domain terminology (ontology)-a characteristic very desirable in heterogeneous, multivendor environments.