This book documents the main results developed in the course of the European project "Basic Research on Advanced Distributed Computing: From Algorithms to Systems (BROADCAST)". Eight major European research groups in distributed computing cooporated on this projects, from 1992 to 1999. The 21 thoroughly cross-reviewed final full papers present the state-of-the art results on distributed systems in a coherent way. The book is divided in parts on distributed algorithms, systems architecture, applications support, and case studies.

This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-proceedings of the Fifth International School and Symposium on Advanced Distributed Systems, ISSADS 2005, held in Guadalajara, Mexico in January 2005. The 50 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from over 100 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on database systems, distributed and parallel algorithms, real-time distributed systems, cooperative information systems, fault tolerance, information retrieval, modeling and simulation, wireless networks and mobile computing, artificial life and multi agent systems.

This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-proceedings of the Third International School and Symposium on Advanced Distributed Systems, ISSADS 2004, held in Guadalajara, Mexico in January 2004. The 25 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 46 submissions. Among the topics addressed are virtual characters, distributed toolkits, serial visual presentation, multi-agent architectures, MAS, agent-object hybrid languages, robot soccer agents, distributed querying, semantic search engines, coordination, distributed collaboration, virtual communities, peer-to-peer networks, P2P systems, distributed search mobile objects, load balancing, distributed algorithms, scheduling, and distributed information systems.

* Comprehensive introduction to the fundamental results in the mathematical foundations of distributed computing * Accompanied by supporting material, such as lecture notes and solutions for selected exercises * Each chapter ends with bibliographical notes and a set of exercises * Covers the fundamental models, issues and techniques, and features some of the more advanced topics

META-HEURISTIC ALGORITHMS FOR ADVANCED DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS Discover a collection of meta-heuristic algorithms for distributed systems in different application domains Meta-heuristic techniques are increasingly gaining favor as tools for optimizing distributed systems—generally, to enhance the utility and precision of database searches. Carefully applied, they can increase system effectiveness, streamline operations, and reduce cost. Since many of these techniques are derived from nature, they offer considerable scope for research and development, with the result that this field is growing rapidly. Meta-Heuristic Algorithms for Advanced Distributed Systems offers an overview of these techniques and their applications in various distributed systems. With strategies based on both global and local searching, it covers a wide range of key topics related to meta-heuristic algorithms. Those interested in the latest developments in distributed systems will find this book indispensable. Meta-Heuristic Algorithms for Advanced Distributed Systems readers will also find: Analysis of security issues, distributed system design, stochastic optimization techniques, and more Detailed discussion of meta-heuristic techniques such as the genetic algorithm, particle swam optimization, and many others Applications of optimized distribution systems in healthcare and other key??industries Meta-Heuristic Algorithms for Advanced Distributed Systems is ideal for academics and researchers studying distributed systems, their design, and their applications.

A comprehensive guide to distributed algorithms that emphasizes examples and exercises rather than mathematical argumentation.