The present invention describes a system and method for using agent-based distributed case-based reasoning to manage a computer network. In particular, the system includes interface agents, distributed case-based reasoning agents, and response agents, which run on hosts in the network. An interface agent monitors a resource in the network and reports an event to an appropriate distributed case-based reasoning agent. The distributed case-based reasoning agent, using one or more case bases, determines a response to the event. An appropriate response agent implements the response.