Agent-Controlled Sharing of Distributed Resources in User Networks

In this chapter, we evaluate the feasibility of intelligent and distributed control of shared resources in user-managed networks. The user-managed network paradigm has become possible with the advent of broadband wireless networking technologies such as IEEE 802.11. In those networks, node cooperation can optimize the usage of shared external accesses to the Internet (set of links between the user network and the Internet). First, we provide an extensive introduction and the state of the art in related concepts such as multi-agent systems, user networks, peer to peer file exchanges and game theory. Then we present an evaluation of different agent-oriented distributed control schema, based on the concept of credit limits, on ideal mesh networks subjected to uniform traffic. Each node in the mesh network chooses to behave as a cooperator or a defector. Cooperators may assist in file exchange, whereas defectors try to get advantage of network resources without providing help in return. Finally, we present a realistic model of user network traffic and topology, and evaluate a new advanced agent-based distributed control scheme. The simulation results presented here confirm that it is possible to improve resource sharing in user networks using agents which check that file exchange services offered to neighbor nodes do not surpass appropriate credit limits and which take decisions autonomously from local information. As an external validation of our work, we have observed that popular P2P protocols like eMule, Kazaa and BitTorrent have been evolving towards the same credit-oriented strategies discussed in this chapter. 2 E. Costa-Montenegro et al. Fig. 1. User network with shared Internet links