Authenticated service interaction protocol for Multi-Agent System

Expert are more focusing on the autonomy of processing, being able to provide solution intelligently. Distributed computing provides us with the facility of autonomy of sites. Multi-agent system (MAS) are also a branch of distributed computing. In a MAS distributed system, agent is able to work with other agents and to make reasoning about the environment in which it is currently working. Agent works on different platform open network i.e. LAN, WAN, Internet, which increases the malicious behavior in the environment. With this open environment one can not trust with surety as there is no one accountable for this misbehavior. There should be some security measures which enhance the security and trust for agent to defend themselves against attack of other agents and humans activities. To promote interoperability among agents there should be some trust between agents to migrate freely and without risk. Providing security services in the open environment is quite challenging and attractive. Agents mainly trust on two main component of FIPA reference model i.e. directory facilitator (DF) & agent management system (AMS). These two components must be enough trust worthy to gain trust of various agents. This research will be based on authentication of agents with DF to provide the secure environment e.g. if agent A register itself with DF, any other Agent B cannot delete or modify the Agent A services or the agent A itself. In future we will be working with AMS authentication. Authentication between application agent & DF uses simple authentication security layer (SASL) protocol includes a series of steps before agent can be authenticated at DF.