Issues in Distributed Model Management Systems

Within the decision support system area of research, there is a growing body of work focusing on the topic of Model Management (MM). This paper proposes extending the concept of a Model Management System (MMS) to function within and exploit the capabilities of a distributed computing environment. A framework for research in Distributed MMS (DMMS) is discussed. In this framework, distribution of MMS functions can occur along two principal dimensions: distributed model-base management and distributed model building and execution. A variety of design and implementation issues which are relevant to each dimension are examined. It is also argued that the structuring principles and concepts of the systems framework for model management (as implemented in a prototype system called SYMMS) are particularly appropriate and ideally suited for a distributed environment. An architecture for a prototype distributed MMS is also presented.