Architecture and allocation considerations for group expert systems

Abstract

This thesis investigates the design, communication, and allocation considerations for implementing a distributed group expert system on a Local Area Network. A model system called GESP (Group Expert System Prototype) was implemented in Prolog on a microcomputer LAN to be used as a working platform. From observations of the model, conclusions have been drawn concerning: (1) the architecture of the expert system software required to support an interactive group expert system; (2) implications of expert system to expert system communication; and (3) the optimum allocation strategy of expert systems to nodes. Due to the lack of a distributed operating environment in which to implement the model, efficiency has been sacrificed for operability. Although GESP is not a fully practical implementation of a group expert system, it should as a minimum provide a functional framework for understanding, analyzing, and designing interactive group expert systems. Keywords: Theses. (kr)