Cooperative distributed problem solving


In computing cooperative distributed problem solving is a network of semi-autonomous processing nodes working together to solve a problem, typically in a multi-agent system. That is concerned with the investigation of problem subdivision, sub-problem distribution, results synthesis, optimisation of problem solver coherence and co-ordination. It is closely related to distributed constraint programming and distributed constraint optimization; see the links below.

Aspects of CDPS

  • Neither global control or global data storage – no individual CDPS problem solver has sufficient information to solve the entire problem.
  • Control and data are distributed
  • Communication is slower than computation, therefore:
  • * Loose coupling between problem solvers
  • * Efficient protocols
  • * problems should be modular, coarse grained
  • Any unique node is a potential bottleneck
  • * Organised behaviour is hard to guarantee since no one node has the complete picture

    Some relevant books

  • A chapter in an edited book.
  • See Chapters 1 and 2; .
Category:Applications of distributed computing
Category:Problem solving