Volume 7, Number 1 - Grid Computing
Volume 7, Number 1 - Grid Computing
By Ricardo Bueno, ITT Industries, Advanced Engineering Sciences Division
What is the relationship of Grid Computing and the Global
Information Grid - a few statements about how the government and military seek
to implement grid computing?
The Global Information Grid is defined as a "Globally interconnected, end-to-end set of information capabilities, associated processes, and personnel for collecting, processing, storing, disseminating, and managing information on demand to warfighters, policy makers, and support personnel. The GIG includes all owned and leased communications and computing systems and services, software (including applications), data, security services, and other associated services necessary to achieve Information Superiority. It also includes National Security Systems (NSS) as defined in section 5142 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996. The GIG supports all DoD, National Security, and related Intelligence Community (IC) missions and functions (strategic, operational, tactical, and business) in war and in peace. The GIG provides capabilities from all operating locations (bases, posts, camps, stations, facilities, mobile platforms, and deployed sites). The GIG provides interfaces to coalition, allied, and non-DoD users and systems.1
Grid computing is still considered an infant technology and its applications vary widely in use. Grid computing is predominantly used in the scientific and academic communities but of late much attention has been paid to what it might offer in information dominance and superiority.
There are a variety of uses for grid computing, each with a specific and significant capability, together providing the promise of unparalleled access to computing and information resources. The three types of Grid computing are; Computations Grids, Data Grids, and Foraging Grids. The Department of Defense is currently defining the GIG Enterprise Services (ES) under the Data Grid type with its appropriate architecture. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), in collaboration with the joint services, is responsible for providing enterprise level services for the warfighter, a large community of users. These services, know as the Net-centric Enterprise Services or NCES, provide capabilities in the GIG ES such as distributed storage, information assurance/security, collaboration, messaging, mediation, service management, and interfaces for node/client connectivity. Core management disciplines within the GIG ES include, among others, information engineering and management, applied metadata standards for information interoperability, and complex policy assignment for multinational/coalition forces. Over the next several years the GIG ES working groups will work hard to define and refine the architecture and functionality of the GIG ES.
What is the status/reality of the Global Information Grid?
The GIG ES is a real thing. Currently there have been defined 9 core services. These services are Storage, Messaging, Enterprise Service Management, Discovery, Mediation, Information Assurance, Application Hosting, User Assistant, and Collaboration. Each one of these core services is supported by a community of engineers and architects from all branches of the service. DISA is the executive agent for the GIG ES and is responsible for publishing the core services requirements as defined by the joint engineering and architecture communities. Furthermore, DISA is currently going through a detailed process for selecting Alternative of Analysis programs for GIG ES implementation. Some of the candidates for GIG ES are the Air Force's Global Combat Support System (GCSS-AF) and the Joint Battlespace Infosphere (JBI). Much work must still be done to ensure these programs fit the needs of the DoD and the requirements of the GIG ES.
Is it still someone's dream or is it operational?
While the GIG ES is not operational it is, nevertheless, far from being just a dream. The GIG ES program is a living, breathing, growing program that will have far-reaching and significant impact and benefit to the warfighter community. While not yet in use, the first set of prototype demonstrations is set for sometime in 2007.
Ricardo Bueno serves on the following working groups for GIG ES supporting AF/XI and AF/CIO.
Metadata Working Group
Information Security Working Group
GIG ES Architecture Working Group
Data and Storage Working Group
He is also a core reviewer for the AF of the Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) which defines the core capabilities required for the GIG and the Capability Development Document (CDD) which provides details on acquiring and use cases for the capabilities defined in the ICD.
Ricardo A. Bueno, Principal Systems Architect
Joint Battlespace Infosphere Program
ITT Industries, Advanced Engineering and Sciences
Air Force Research Laboratory/IFSE
DSN 587
Phone:(315)330-2284
Cell: (315)335-1229
Fax: (315)330 -7009
E-mail:[email protected]
1 Global Information Grid Capstone Requirements Document DTD 30 Aug 2001
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