A coordination-based framework for distributed constraint solving

DICE (DIstributed Constraint Environment) is a framework for the construction of distributed constraint solvers from software components in a number of predefined categories. The framework is implemented using the Manifold coordination language, and coordinates the components of a distributed solver by means of coordination protocols that implement a distributed constraint propagation algorithm, a distributed termination detection algorithm, and facilities for the distributed splitting of a constraint satisfaction problem. The aim of this report is to give an overview of DICE. In addition to the coordination protocols, the report describes the framework architecture and solver configuration language, and discusses our plans for further development.