A Holonic Multi-Agent Coordination Server

This paper presents a holonic co-ordination server which is made up of a recursive hierarchy of three different agent types: On the top stands an agent providing matchmaking services and representing the co-ordination server to the outside. It passes incoming requests to a subordinated agent type that is equipped with co-ordination mechanisms such as auctions, negotiations and coalition formation mechanisms. For each incoming request, this agent spawns an instance of a third agent type which executes the protocol of the co-ordination mechanism chosen in the request. The holonic structure of the co-ordination server helps to reduce complexity while allowing a high grade of adaptability and flexibility.