Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit focuses theoretical concepts, applications and research issues of mobile software agents. Students will learn techniques to design and develop mobile agent applications. A number of different toolkits/development environments will be discussed and used for the practical component of the unit. The unit analyses mobile software agents technology with respect to their use in different application domains - focusing on pervasive applications, electronic commerce/web services and distributed data/network management. Advanced research issues/topics such as communication, coordination, security and trust for mobile agent systems will also be presented.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will:

• be conversant with the principles and theoretical concepts of mobile software agents;
• appreciate models and approaches to building mobile agent systems;
• demonstrate knowledge of different mobile agent toolkits and development environments;
• utilise techniques for achieving mobile agent communication and coordination;
• understand security issues in mobile agent systems;
• select and apply appropriate tools for a particular application;
• foster critical and independent analysis of how mobile agents can be applied to distributed computing applications.

Assessment

Reading Component: 15%; Research paper and presentation: 50%; Project/practical assignment: 35%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Shonali Krishnaswamy

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Prerequisites

Recommended Knowledge: It is assumed that all students have a working knowledge of fundamental Java programming.

Prohibitions

CPE5010

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit5031/