"In the 1980s internetworking protocols allowed us to link any two computers, and a vast network of networks called the Internet exploded around the globe. In the 1990s the hypertext transfer protocol allowed us to link any two documents, and a vast, online library-cum-shoppingmall called the World Wide Web exploded across the Internet. Now, fast emerging grid protocols might allow us to link almost anything else." [Wal03]

In [Fos02] a Grid is defined as a system that

 

• coordinates resources that are not subject to centralized control - (A Grid integrates and coordinates resources and users that live within different control domains for example, the user's desktop vs. central computing; different administrative units of the same company; or different companies; and addresses the issues of security, policy, payment, membership, and so forth that arise in these settings. Otherwise, we are dealing with a local management system.)

• using standard, open, general-purpose protocols and interfaces - (A Grid is built from multi-purpose protocols and interfaces that address such fundamental issues as authentication, authorization, resource discovery, and resource access. As I discuss further below, it is important that these protocols and interfaces be standard and open. Otherwise, we are dealing with an application-specific system.)

• to deliver nontrivial qualities of service - (A Grid allows its constituent resources to be used in a coordinated fashion to deliver various qualities of service, relating for example to response time, throughput, availability, and security, and/or co-allocation of multiple resource types to meet complex user demands, so that the utility of the combined system is significantly greater than that of the sum of its parts.)

   

We're working on network related issues and research topics within the field of Grid Computing. Please have a look at the quoted projects below and do not hesitate to contact us.