We use this architecture as foundation for an implementation in our agent system MASA (Mobile Agent System Architecture). Several existing security technologies are considered for the suitability in agent systems, e.g. for confidentiality and integrity. We commenced to implement first parts like authentication. Evaluation of different concepts to model rights will follow soon. Afterwards, components depending on rights can be implemented. An authorization component must go along with access and resource control mechanisms. After completing these basic components for rights, delegation and non-repudiaton need closer attention.
Development of configuration and policy management of this security architecture should accompany all this although it needs some more considerations about management of mobile agent systems in general before.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank the members of the Munich Network
Management (MNM) Team for helpful discussions and valuable
comments on earlier versions of this paper. The MNM Team directed by
Prof. Dr. Heinz-Gerd Hegering is a group of researchers at the
University of Munich, the Munich University of Technology, and the
Leibniz Supercomputing Center of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences.
Its webserver is located at http://wwwmnmteam.informatik.uni-muenchen.de.