MC2 platform supporting mobile computing and communication

Mobile computing, in which a small computer connected to a computer network by means of a mobile communication network can be carried by the user, is becoming possible. In the mobile computing environment, there occur problem s specific to wireless communication that are not experienced in wired netw orks, such as disconnection of the communication channel and inability to m ake a connection. Also, the user may use computers other than his own porta ble one, depending on the location. In this paper, an agent platform that t akes into account the characteristics of mobile computing is proposed. The proposed platform supplements the deficiencies of the wireless communicatio n and provides an environment in which agents that support user mobility ar e available. (C) 1999 Scripta Technica.