Automatic configuration of PVCs in ATM networks with software agents

This paper describes an agent-based approach to the automatic provision of permanent virtual channels (PVC) in ATM networks. The agent framework described fosters flexibility and seamless evolution by the definition of capability skills. Skills are plugged into the agent's brain which is responsible for the coordination of the agent's behavior. The application of this agent framework to the problem of PVC configuration resulted in the definition of a set of skills, among which, only one skill is device-dependent. Therefore, the implemented application can easily support new types of ATM switches. Moreover, it is efficient in terms of performance and bandwidth saving.