Computer networks typically consist of nodes and edges—they are graphs. The nodes can typically be
computers, routers, servers, and so on. The edges indicate a communication path between nodes. Assume
you are a network administrator for a distributed system and that you wish to perform maintenance of all the
servers in your system. You have decided to do this by using a mobile agent. To get started, look up and
answer the questions in Part 1. After that, complete Part 2:
Part 1
What is a distributed system?
What is a mobile agent?
Since this agent is autonomous and moves from computer to computer, it would be smart to equip it with
shortest path algorithms, so that it can go from server to server, reaching all the servers only once, in the
shortest amount of time. This is the traveling sales person (TSP) problem. Note that computer networks can be
modeled using graphs and that shortest paths solutions, Hamilton cycles, TSP, and so on can be found using
graph-based algorithms.
Part 2
How would you model a computer network using a graph? What are potential nodes, edges, and weights?
Which of these traversal algorithms should the agent be equipped with? Which will help the agent traverse the
network in an efficient manner? Explain why.
What is the TSP problem, and how does it relate to this question?
Sample Solution