To disaggregate or not to disaggregate, that is not the question

Abstract

The dichotomy between aggregated and disaggregated states is a false one. It is possible for an aggregated entity to be at many levels of aggregation by storing the relevant data of all levels. In this paper, we propose a scheme, UNIFY, wherein each unit either maintains state information at all allowed levels of aggregation or furnishes it on demand. We present problems with traditional approaches towards aggregation such as temporal inconsistency, chain disaggregation and network flooding. We also deal with issues that we envisage will beset the simulation world such as aggregation of dissimilar entities, dynamic aggregation and the perceiver problem. We describe a framework with which these problems could be solved or tackled better. We study the benefits and disadvantages of UNIFY and propose new directions for research. Finally, we analyze the demands made by our scheme on network, memory and CPU resources.