Distributed computation system incorporating agent network, paths and associated probes

A method of distributed computing, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of interconnected host computing devices one or more of which are in communication with a control mechanism;
• providing a plurality of agents, each agent implemented on a host computing device wherein each host computing device is operative to implement one or more agents, each agent in communication with neighboring agents on a defined ordered path thereby forming a distributed computing network;
• receiving, processing and dispatching probes containing at least one of data, object code and source code among said agents, wherein probes are generated by said agents, contain data and/or code, and traverse said distributed computing network in accordance with one or more defined ordered paths, each path consisting of a unique ordered sequence of agents;
• wherein communication among agents occurs only through an exchange of probes on a path;
• breaking down a computation into a sequence of tasks to be performed by the agents on a path, the computation performed by combined action of all agents on the path;
• wherein information is exchanged among agents, and said tasks are distributed to agents in a particular path by sending and receiving probes among the agents in the particular path;
• performing said computation by the agents within the particular path and returning any results;
• controlling said distributed computing network utilizing said control mechanism in communication with at least one agent;
• and
• generating control probes and injecting said control probes into said distributed computing network via an agent in communication with said control mechanism.