The management of large data networks, like a national WAN, is without any doubt a complex task. Taking into account the constantly
increasing size and complexity of today's TCP/IP based networks, it becomes obvious that there is a demanding need for better
than simple monitoring management tools. Expert system technology seems to be a very promising approach for the development
of such tools. This paper describes the system architecture of ExperNet, a distributed expert system for the management of
the National Computer Network of Ukraine, and the implementation of the tools used for its development. ExperNet is a multiagent
system built in DEVICE, an active OODB enhanced with high level rules, that uses CS-Prolog II to implement the communication
facilities required. The system employs HNMS+ and Big-Brother, two modified versions of existing network management tools,
in order to obtain a complete view of the monitored network.
keywords Distributed expert systems - agents - network management - distributed prolog
The work described in this paper is funded by the EU INCO-Copernicus project ExperNet: A Distributed Expert System for the
Management of a National Network, No 960114
The order in which the authors appear does not reflect their contribution to the work described in this paper.