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Abstract As the size and number of distributed computing systems increase, it becomes evident that the key to effcient and reliable operating environments depends on our ability to manage and control devices, services and applications. Currently, most management systems for distributed systems operate Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). This protocol uses the client-server model, on which the management station acts as a client that provides a user interface to the manager and interacts with agents, which are servers that manage remote access to the Management Information Base (MIB). In certain circumstances (e.g. at times of network stress), this client-server interaction generates significant traffic that overloads the management station. A distributed paradigm is a revision way to perform management functions when networks grow significantly. In this sense, using mobile agents is an option to distribute the management tasks. They decentralise processing and control, and, as a consequence, reduce the traffic around the management station, and distribute processing load. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of using mobile agents in alleviating loads created by network management protocols and to investigate the performance behaviour of distributed management for distributed systems. |