Mobile agents for network management

In this article we discuss the potential uses of mobile agents in network management and define software agents and a navigation model that determines agent mobility. We list a number of potential advantages and disadvantages of mobile agents and include a short commentary on the ongoing standardization activity. The core of this article comprises descriptions of several actual and potential applications of mobile agents in the five OSI functional areas of network management. A brief review of other research activity in the area and prospects for the future conclude the presentation.