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Grid Computing: Conceptual Flyover For Developers

Posted by Hemos on from the relating-to-the-known dept.

An anonymous reader writes "This article relates many Grid computing concepts to known quantities for developers, such as object-oriented programming, XML, and Web services. The author offers a reading list of white papers, articles, and books where you can find out more about Grid computing."

7 of 79 comments (clear)

  1. So what exactly is "grid computing"? by evil_one666 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    So what is exactly "Grid Computing"? From the article...
    Sometimes it's easier to start defining Grid computing by telling you what it isn't. For instance, it's not artificial intelligence, and it's not some kind of advanced networking technology. It's also not some kind of science-fictional panacea to cure all of our technology ailments.

    If you can think of the Internet as a network of communication, then Grid computing is a network of computation: tools and protocols for coordinated resource sharing and problem solving among pooled assets. These pooled assets are known as virtual organizations. They can be distributed across the globe; they're heterogeneous (some PCs, some servers, maybe mainframes and supercomputers); somewhat autonomous (a Grid can potentially access resources in different organizations); and temporary.


    Nope- that still does not tell me what "grid computing" is. This vague, loosely defined definition can describe just about every "next big thing" since the mainframe.
    1. Re:So what exactly is "grid computing"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Grid computing is utilizing multiple independent machines of different processing power in order to complete computational tasks.

      yeah its vague but that narrows it sopmewhat.

  2. Ancient Technology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Is this news? Article is dated May 2003.

  3. Re:Change can be hard by Timesprout · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Well this is the thing. Many old timers are not adverse to change when clear benefits can be shown from adopting the new technology.

    Unfortunately for Grid Computing its still in the stage where people are struggling to explain what it is, nevermind what it does or how it can improve life. Thats always going to be a hard sell to me anyway. If its function is not obvious it makes you sceptical just how necessary it is.

    --
    Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
    What truth?
    There is no dupe
  4. Grid Computing is a buzzword by joib · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Like, if you fit in "grid computing" in your grant proposal, the probability that you'll get funding increases. Now, if in addition to "grid" you manage to fit in "nanotechnology", "bio-informatics" and "paradigm" you'll be funded with a probability very close to 100 %!

  5. Re:Hey by B1ackDragon · · Score: 2, Insightful

    You know we're talking about a dead meme when the first comment is modded redundant.

    The beowulf cluster joke is dead, long live the beowulf cluster joke!!

    --
    The snow doesn't give a soft white damn whom it touches. -- ee cummings
  6. Re:Change can be hard by the_duke_of_hazzard · · Score: 2, Insightful
    It's going to be painful and resisted until it "just works" (TM), and then everyone will want to use it. So the trailblazers will most likely be techies who become suits, and want to prove themselves by saving a business loads of money by doing this. Probably banks, non?

    The overheads will be enormous though, at least initially. Security issues, data issues, even logging issues have to be thought through. Any system that implements this will be *fucking* complicated to work through.

    In any case, the "old timers" are often right, and call the younger guys on their technical wet dreams. In between the two camps lies progress...