B.H. Far's Publication List: 2003

This is the publication list of Dr. Behrouz Homayoun Far.
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   Research Doc. 2003-01

Authors(s): Nora Houari, Edidiong Ekaette, Wei Wu, Behrouz H. Far, and Stephen Rochefort
Title:
"Architectural Evaluation of a Distributed Agent System for Network Fault Management"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
2nd ASERC Workshop on Software Architecture, 18-19 February 2003.
Abstract
A distributed software agents architecture for network fault management project is proposed. The project consists of developing a framework for automating fault management using distributed agents. The management task is distributed among multiple agents that can carry out advanced reasoning activities on the network domain. In this paper we analyze the system from a high level description of the system architecture in order to make the development of the system more understandable and intellectually manageable. We are particularly concerned about the system architecture's ability to support a wide variety of changes. To address this we carry out an architecture evaluation, using the Software Architecture Analysis Method (SAAM).
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-02

Authors(s): Dong Liu, Kalaivani Subramaniam, Behrouz H. Far and Armin Eberlein
Title:
"An Agent-based System for Class Elicitation and Modeling in Object Oriented Analysis and Design"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
2nd ASERC Workshop on Software Architecture, 18-19 February 2003.
Abstract
Object elicitation and class modeling is critical in Object Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD). It is known to be a hard task for software engineers since there are no well-defined guidelines. In this paper, an approach based on the Object Model Creation Process (OMCP) is reviewed, and a methodology that supports the elicitation of objects and classes from requirements and the building of the class model is introduced. Use cases are used as the means to specify the stakeholders' requirements. Robustness analysis helps to bridge the gap between requirements and detailed design. This paper presents the analysis and design of an agent-based system that implements the methodology, as well as some details of the agent system architecture.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-03

Authors(s): Hassan Hajji and Behrouz H. Far
Title:
"Integrated Network Operation Baselining and Adaptive Detection of Faults and Performance Problems"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
Information Processing Society of Japan IPSJ Journal, Vol. 44, No. 02 - 020, February 2003.
Abstract
Detection of network problems is a crucial step in automating network management. It has a direct impact on the accuracy of fault, performance and security management functions. In this paper, we propose an adaptive technique for network fault and performance detection. Network operations normal baseline is parameterized as a finite mixture model, and model parameters are estimated from data using the Expectation Maximization algorithm. We propose a novel method for online residual generation, based on repeated identification of model parameters. The resulting multivariate residuals are shown to be approximately Normal with the mean 0 and unit variance under normal conditions, and the mean jumps suddenly to a different value, once anomaly occurs. To achieve fast detection, we formulate the problem of detection as a sequential disruption problem, where the task is to detect departures from the baseline distribution as soon as the disruption happens. An analytical expression of false alarm rate allows us to choose the threshold, automatically. Experimental results on a real network showed that the monitoring agent is able to detect even slight changes in the characteristics of the network, while maintaining a low false alarm rate.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-04

Authors(s): Behrouz H. Far and Tom Wanyama
Title:
"Metrics for Agent-Based Software Development"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE 2003), pp. 1297-1300, May 2003.
Abstract
In software engineering community an increasing effort has been put into design and development of multi-agent systems (MAS). However, agent system development is currently dominated by informal guidelines, heuristics and inspirations rather than formal principles and well defined engineering techniques. In this paper we define a set of objective and subjective metrics to measure the complexity of MAS. The subjective metrics is a modified version of function Point (FP) including the algorithmic complexity and knowledge complexity factor. The objective metrics is a measure for nearly-decomposability, measured by the communicative cohesion. Such metrics can be used to select the best architecture for the MAS. A methodology for agent-based software development based on such metrics is proposed.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-05

Authors(s): Dong Liu, Behrouz H. Far and Armin Eberlein
Title:
"Automating Transition from Use-Cases to Class Model"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE 2003), pp. 831-834, May 2003.
Abstract
To identify objects from the requirements and to model the problem in classes are critical in Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD). Unfortunately, this is recognized as a hard task for most software engineers, because both domain experience and expertise are needed, since there is no crisp guideline. We present an approach with a set of artifacts and methodologies, and to automate the transition from requirement to detail design. Use cases are applied as the method to capture and record requirements. All the use cases are formalized by a use case template. A glossary that contains the domain vocabulary is used throughout the OOAD process to reduce the vagueness of natural language. Some language patterns are introduced to make the automatic processing of use cases possible. We apply robustness analysis to bridge the gap between a use case and its realization, i.e. between a use case and the corresponding collaboration diagram in UML. Some rules are summarized and adopted to automate the object/class identification and behavior distribution among the classes. The implementation of the tool is described.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-06

Authors(s): Qing He, Yingxu Wang and Behrouz H. Far
Title:
"A Web-Based Software Measurement Expert System"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE 2003), pp. 1325-1328, May 2003.
Abstract
The software measurement expert system tool (SEMEST) is a rule-based and web-enabled application for multiple software engineering measurement and analysis. SEMEST is designed on the basis of the software Engineering measurement system (SEMS) that provides a comprehensive set of software measures and metrics in a formal and consistent framework. The Module View Controller (MVC) design model is adopted for implementing SEMEST. As a multiple-layer web-based system with an expert inference engine and a knowledge base, SEMEST supports goal-, process- and category- oriented measurement and analysis in software engineering.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-07

Authors(s): Cathy Wei Wu and Behrouz H. Far
Title:
"An Implementation of Decision Making Models and Mechanisms for Multi-Agent Systems in Competitive Environments"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE 2003), pp. 1227-1230, May 2003.
Abstract
In Multi-Agent System (MAS) competitive environment, agents reasoning process is more complex due to the fact that uncertainty factor is involved. Decision making models and mechanisms for MAS are studied in this paper from two viewpoints: S-R-K human information processing model viewpoint, and game theory and decision theory viewpoint. Five decision making modules that are rule-based module, Dempster Shafer module, certainty module, risk module and uncertainty module are developed and the reasoning procedures are discussed. These modular processing techniques could improve the quality and performance of MAS design and development.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-08

Authors(s): Edidiong Ekaette and Behrouz H. Far
Title:
"A Framework for Distributed Network Fault Management Using Intelligent Network Agents"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE 2003), pp. 797-800, May 2003.
Abstract
This paper proposes a framework for distributed management of network faults by software agents. Intelligent network agents with advanced reasoning capabilities address many of the issues for the distribution of processing and control in network management. The agents detect, correlate and selectively seek to derive a clear explanation of alarms generated in their domain. The causal relationship between faults and their effects is presented as a Bayesian network. As evidence (alarms) is gathered, the probability of the presence of any particular fault is strengthened or weakened. Agents having a narrower view of the network forward their findings to another with a much broader view of the network. Depending on the network's degree of automation, the agent can carry out local recovery actions. A prototype reflecting the ideas discussed in this paper is under implementation.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-09

Authors(s): Behrouz H. Far
Title:
"Rational Decision Making for Multiagent Systems Based on Interaction Scenarios"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
Proceedings of The 7th World Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics (SCI 2003), July 2003.

Abstract
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Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-10

Authors(s): Behrouz H. Far
Title:
"Cognitive Decision Making Issues for Software Agents"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
Kluwer Journal of Brain and Mind: A Transdisciplinary Journal, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 239-252, August 2003.
Abstract
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Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-11

Authors(s): Behrouz H. Far
Title:
"Methodological Support for Agent-Based System Interaction"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
The First International Conference on Agent Based Technologies and Systems (ATS2003), pp. 27-40, August 2003.
(Keynote Lecture)
Abstract
Software agents are knowledgeable, autonomous, situated and interactive software entities. Agents interactions are of special importance when a group of agents interact with each other to solve a problem that is beyond the capability and knowledge of each individual. Efficiency, performance and overall quality of the multi-agent applications depend mainly on how the agents interact with each other effectively. In this paper, we suggest an agent model by which we can clearly distinguish different agents interaction scenarios. The model has five attributes: goal, control, interface, identity and knowledge base. Using the model, we analyze and describe possible scenarios and devise the appropriate reasoning and decision making techniques for each scenario.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-12

Authors(s): Tom Wanyama, Behrouz H. Far
Title:
"Agent-Based Commercial Off-The-Shelf Software Components Evaluation Method"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
The First International Conference on Agent Based Technologies and Systems (ATS2003), pp. 133-141, August 2003.
Abstract
In the last decade, the world of software development has evolved rapidly. This evolution has led to Component-Based Software Development (CBSD), which in turn has generated tremendous interest in the development of plug-and-play reusable software, leading to the concept of Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) software components. The use of COTS is increasingly becoming commonplace. This is mainly due to shrinking budgets, accelerating rates of COTS enhancement, reducing development time and effort constraints, and expanding system requirements. However, the COTS marketplace is characterized by a vast array of products and product claims, extreme quality and capability differences between products, and many products incompatibilities, even when they purport to adhere to the same standards. Therefore, there is need for a robust COTS evaluation methodology to help software developers select appropriate components for projects. A variety of COTS evaluation methods have already been proposed. These methods are based on either consensual opinion aggregation approach or regression models. However, both approaches are inadequate for the COTS Evaluation process. In this paper, we propose an agent-based COTS evaluation method, which models each of the players as either a cooperative or a competing agent that is capable of making its own decisions to meets its goals. In this model, there is an administrator agent that collects, evaluates, and combines knowledge from different areas of expertise (Roles) to offer support in the COTS selection process. This way, we circumvent COTS evaluation problems associated with the consensual opinion aggregation and the regression models approaches.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-13

Authors(s): Nora Houari, Behrouz H. Far
Title:
"Intelligent Agents based Architecture for Distributed Decision Support to Manage Projects Lifecycle"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
The First International Conference on Agent Based Technologies and Systems (ATS2003), pp. 170-179, August 2003.
Abstract
An intelligent agents based architecture framework for decision support to manage project lifecycle is proposed. The intent of the proposed framework is to improve the way project life cycle is handled in today's cross-organizational projects, by assisting cooperation managers to control the development process in a reliability driven manner. The proposed decision support framework uses distributed agents and concentrates on a formal approach to capture the system architectural artifacts. It relies on Jini and JavaSpaces services. The importance of this work is that it fits seamlessly into the current efforts of companies for controlling complex projects within the estimated budget and time.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-14

Authors(s): Tong Chen, Behrouz H. Far, Yingxu Wang
Title:
"Development of an Intelligent Agent-Based GQM Software Measurement System"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
The First International Conference on Agent Based Technologies and Systems (ATS2003), pp. 188-197, August 2003.
Abstract
Software measurement plays a key role in quantitative software engineering. Effective implementation of a measurement system to map collected data to business goals in a software organization is a prime problem. Goal-Question-Metrics (GQM) measurement provides the guidelines. A number of techniques to implement the GQM process have already been proposed. Nevertheless, the GQM process is complex, knowledge-intensive, iterative and therefore expensive. A tool to automate the process will be quite helpful. This paper introduces a multi-agent system called ISMS, which is designed for providing intelligent aid for software measurement based on GQM technique. The objective of developing this intelligent system is to automate the GQM process by building an agentbased system that accepts at its input a user's business goal, asks questions interactively and after a few iterations produces a software measurement plan at its output. This multiagent system is composed of two clusters of agents, client-side assistant agents and server-side cooperative agents. The client-side agents work as intelligent front-end for the users and the server-side agents work cooperatively to realize various roles necessary to implement the GQM process.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-15

Authors(s): Dong Liu, K. Subramaniam, A. Eberlein, Behrouz H. Far
Title:
"Design and Evolution of an Agent-based CASE System for OOAD"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
The First International Conference on Agent Based Technologies and Systems (ATS2003), pp. 206-212, August 2003.
Abstract
Agent-based analysis and design is a prospering area of software engineering and several methodologies have been proposed. However, how to evolve the architecture of agentbased system during development is not well addressed. This paper presents two kinds of design evolution using a CASE system for OOAD as an example. The first kind of evolution is due to the change of business logic, and the second is to meet the requirements of implementation and maintenance. The behavior model, the role model and the robustness model for the CASE system are presented and compared. The robustness model can also be applied to other agent-based system.
Original Language: English

   Research Doc. 2003-16

Authors(s): Wei Wu, Behrouz H. Far, Edidiong Ekaette
Title:
"Uncertainty Management Framework for Multi-Agent System"
Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
The First International Conference on Agent Based Technologies and Systems (ATS2003), pp. 122-131, August 2003.
(Best Presentation Paper Award)
Abstract
Software Agents interaction involves uncertainty. In order to model and formalize agents' interaction, three properties: public, private and protected are adopted to precisely represent the belief-desire-intension (BDI) agent, and agent's relationships have been interpreted in terms of cooperation, coordination and competition based on BDI agent model. An agent's uncertainty management framework is then proposed with respect to some decision support tools, this framework could ease the analysis of multiagent systems in a more formal way and help design efficient reasoning process for software agents.
Original Language: English

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