- Computational grids are sets of systems federated together
as part of a virtual organization.
- Unlike parallel computers & most clusters, grid computers
can have heterogenous architectures.
- Unlike distributed computing (i.e., SETI@home), grids can have
mutual trust, highly available networks, and service guarantees.
- Unlike clusters, grids are geared towards higher or variable
latency network interconnects.
- These qualities make grid computing good for coarsely parallel
applications, or applications which involve different types of
computers working together.
- Today, "grid" is over-used by many vendors & others to refer
generally to computing performed across networked systems. For our
purposes, though, we will focus on the emerging standards-based grid
being shaped principally by the Global
Grid Forum (GGF) in cooperation with OASIS and other
organizations.
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