Agent-enhanced dynamic service level agreement in future network environments

Current network infrastructures are experiencing rapid transformation from providing mere connectivity, to a wider range of flexible network services with Quality of Service (QoS). We propose an agent-enhanced system that facilitates dynamic Service Level Agreement (SLA) activities, such as end-to-end QoS specifications and service price negotiations in such an environment. A prototype system consisting of real-time Java-based agents that interacts with a simulated network was developed to demonstrate scenarios and enable analysis. The studies show that this form of dynamic SLA negotiation introduces many innovative ways on how network services can be provisioned. This paper also highlights the effects of implementing dynamic connection bandwidth pricing on traffic load and network provider’s revenues