Grid Computing – What it is, How it Works

Grid computing is a form of distributed computing, in which a virtual supercomputer works in coordinated way. There is difference between Grid and Cloud Computing. Primarily was developed to make the computers perform system intensive scientific calculations and to solve problems. Previously we published an article on Cloud Computing, Distributed Computing and Grid Computing; that article can be supplementary to this article.

What is Grid Computing ?

Grid Computing system share resources which are not geographically centered to solve large scale problems. Shared resources for the Grid Computing system can be computers (PCs, workstations, supercomputers, PDAs, laptops, smart phones etc.), software, data and information, specialized instruments or users.

Grid computing offers many advantages over the alternative technologies. The power of Grid Computing is to offer a multitude of networked computers using the grid is virtually unlimited – a seamless integration of heterogeneous systems and devices. Grid Computing is a highly scalable, powerful and flexible system.

These resources in a Grid Computing system are distributed in a transparent network but it keeps a pattern of security and management policies of both technical and economic.

Classification

Grid computing is divided into classes, such as :

• Computational grids
• Data grids
• Resource Grids
• Service Grids
• Knowledge Grids

Characteristics of Grid Computing

Balancing capability in Grid Computing System : There is no need to calculate the system’s capacity in terms of peak workloads – because capacity can be reallocated from the resources when needed.
High availability : With the new functionality, if a server fails, services are reallocated in the remaining servers.
Cost Reduction : With this Grid Computing architecture, the services are managed by shared resources and other things.

Examples of Grid Computing :

• Medicinal imaging
• Bioinformatics
• Nanotechnology
• Engineering
• Weather forecasting

Conclusion on Grid Computing

Grid Computing technology has opened a wide range of possibilities for the development of applications in many sectors.