Volume 7, Number 1 - Grid Computing
Volume 7, Number 1 - Grid Computing
The idea for dedicating an issue of Software Tech News to the topic of Grid Computing was spurred by my involvement in a task for the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL/IF) Rome Research Site in 2003 to coordinate a Chief Scientist Guest Lecture Series that focused on "cyber infrastructure". My task was to identify potential topics and speakers and bring them to AFRL to present to the Lab's on-site personnel. Although I had heard the term "Grid Computing", I had a simplistic understanding of what it was. I had heard an analogy that likened it to the functions of the power companies providing power on demand, with users neither knowing nor caring where the power came from. I also had a few colleagues who were allowing their home PCs to be used for computing at night or during the day when they were at work and the computer would typically be idle. I knew that the researchers were attempting to process vast amounts of data by tapping into the resources of hundreds of thousands of PCs, each doing a small part. That was it - the extent of my knowledge.
Through research and attending the lecture series events I began to have my eyes opened to the magnitude and complexity of grid computing, and to the unique challenges of making independent autonomous resources actually work together as one virtual entity. I listened to speakers from IBM, and HP put forth their perspectives and discuss the benefits and challenges of Grid Computing. Lee Liming talked about the Globus Project, the key players, and the importance of standards. Charles Jung, from Internet2, talked about the NSF Middleware initiative and its contribution to Grid Computing. Patricia Kovatch talked about the TeraGrid and the operational aspects involved in making it a reality.
Grid computing is touted as the next evolution of the Internet that, together with other emerging technologies such as web services and virtual collaboration, will provide new ways to conduct business and research. Therefore, it seems appropriate to give our readers an opportunity to enhance their awareness of this emerging technology.
Grid computing, by definition, cuts across organizational boundaries. Its development is supported by a multitude of working groups and forums where competitors often find themselves working together for the common goal and collaboration is the operative tool. This represents a significant paradigm shift for software development initiatives. Management of collaboration efforts is as important as solving the technical challenges.
The articles in this issue were selected to increase your awareness of the important technical issues involved in Grid computing and to convey a sense of its magnitude and complexity from both a management and technical perspective.
In the 1st featured article, titled "Grid Computing _ a Services Perspective", Michael Osias comments on the origins and growth of Grid computing as well as its connection to the Global Information Grid (GIG) construct. He then focuses on Grid services, enabled by the development of web services technology, that allow the development of virtual systems that can be composed and re-configured dynamically at run time. Embedded throughout this very technical venue is the notion of sharing resources and services in a utility framework. Note also his reliance on standards.
The 2nd feature article, titled "The Role of Standards in the Grid", addresses the work of the Globus Alliance, the challenges they face, the importance of balancing short and long term needs, and their determination to have standards-based grids, with the accompanying rationale. It identifies and prioritizes standards work currently in progress, including the Globus toolkit, a product based on the Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA), which is now used in most Grid implementations.
The 3rd feature article, titled "MCNC's North Carolina Statewide Grid Initiative", describes an actual Grid implementation. It represents a business perspective, focusing on both the actual and foreseeable benefits of using grid technology in addition to the specific challenges of that academic domain.
The last feature article, titled "TeraGrid Software Strategy: E Pluribus Unum", presents the operational reality of a grid computing environment from the perspective of those who must put it together and keep it functioning. I felt this article was extremely important to provide a realistic perspective to our technical readers. It also points to "new science" that is emerging given the capabilities of a grid infrastructure, and again, the use of standards based components.
I hope that the content of this newsletter will broaden your understanding of Grid computing, although it barely touches the surface of the technology. The DACS would be happy to provide follow-up material in a future issue, if you, our readers, so desire. We would like to hear from you. Please use our DACS website comment form at http://www.thedacs.com/forms/mailform.html to provide any comments about this issue, or requests for additional articles, or contact me.
Ellen Walker, DACS Analyst
Data and Analysis Center for Software
ITT Industries - Advanced Engineering and Sciences (AES)
775 Daedalian Dr.
Rome, NY 13441-490
Ph: (315)334.4936
Fax: (315)334.4964
E-mail: [email protected]
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