Scatter-Brain: an experiment in distributed problem solving applied to load balancing

Abstract

A framework is presented for distributed problem solving. As an illustration of this system, the implementation of a job scheduler to do load balancing in distributed systems is developed and discussed. The framework is developed around a distributed blackboard system with multiple planes in a hierarchy. Sites in a distributed system have an incorrect and inconsistent picture of the states of other sites in the system. In this framework of cooperating specialists communicating by means of distributed blackboards, it is shown how to handle uncertain and unreliable knowledge. Some of the specialists used in the system, results obtained, and directions for future research are described.<>