Utility-based collaboration among autonomous agents for resource allocation in data centers

Abstract

Autonomic computing, a proposed solution to the looming complexity crisis in IT, is a realm in which software agents and multi-agent systems can play a critically important role. Conversely, given its importance to a multi-billion dollar industry, it is fair to say that autonomic computing is a killer app for agents. Two years ago, we introduced Unity, an agent-based autonomic data center prototype that demonstrated the virtues of agency in autonomic computing applications. We discuss the road to commercialization of Unity, which entails infusing agent concepts into well-established lines of software and middleware, and discuss experiments that establish the commercial viability of utility-based resource allocation. Furthermore we examine the practicality of framing resource allocation in data centers as a collaboration between two agents, each of which is based on a commercially available product. Copyright 2006 ACM.