Implementation of an Ontology Sharing Mechanism for Multiagent Systems Based on Web Services

摘要

Development of dynamic open service environment for web based systems integration becomes a time challenge. In this paper, an approach based on the integration of agent technology with the functionality of Web Services (WS) is proposed. An interface allowing to expose the functionality of the multiagent system to web based systems and vice versa is implemented as a component of the CAPNET agent platform (AP) allowing to consume the services of an agent or group of agents residing on a FIPA compliant AP in a service oriented (non-agent like) way. Ontologies constitute the centrepiece of the knowledge retrieval, sharing and reuse mechanisms either on the web or among agents. In the case study, a web enabling Ontology Agent and a bridge WS have been implemented over the CAPNET to facilitate knowledge sharing within the KSNet framework. Implementation details are discussed.