Mobile Objects and Agents (MOA) 
               The Open Group Research Institute

The Open Group Research Institute has recently started a project on mobile 
objects and agents. The project is based on the Java programming language 
and related technologies, such as Remote Method Invocation and Object 
Serialization. In addition, we are following the standardization
process, such as OMG RFP, Common Facilities, and we shall attempt
to conform to their requirements, subject to their progress and 
time permitting. Finally, we shall conform to other Java related
projects at the OSF Research Institute (see http://www.gr.osf.org/java/).

The goal of the Mobile Agents project is to design and implement
basic mechanisms for mobile agents, such as checkpoint/restart, 
naming, tracking, infrastructure for logging, controlling, etc. In 
addition, a small number of applications will be provided to 
demonstrate the benefits of agent technology. We plan to cooperate 
with other agent developers, and we have started contacts with a 
couple of other groups. The project is in its beginning phases; we 
are currently writing the initial set of architectural specifications. 
We have a small working prototype. The group consists of 4 people 
working full time on the project, plus a number of sabbaticals and 
support people. The core project is planned to last until the end 
of the next year (1997), for which initial funds are secured. For 
more information, as well as for additional documents and published 
papers, please refer to our Web page: http://www.osf.org/RI/DMO/dmo.htm.