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“The real and specific problem that underlies the Grid concept is coordinated resource
sharing and problem solving in dynamic, multi-institutional virtual organizations . The
sharing that we are concerned with is not primarily file exchange but rather direct access
to computers, software, data, and other resources, as is required by a range of collaborative
problem-solving and resource brokering strategies emerging in industry, science, and
engineering.” (Foster et al. 2001)
In this descriptive definition a virtual organization (VO) is a dynamic group of indi-
viduals, groups or organizations who define the conditions and rules for sharing
resources (Joseph et al. 2004). According to Foster (2002), a Grid system is there-
fore a system that:
• Coordinates resources that are not subject to centralized control
• Uses standard, open, general-purpose protocols and interfaces
• Delivers nontrivial qualities of service.
The main resources that can be shared in a Grid are (Lilienthal 2009):
• Computing/processing power
• Data storage/networked file systems
• Communications and bandwidth
• Application software
• Scientific instruments.
In addition, as the prevalence of embedded computing continues, the notion of a
Grid resource can be extended toward simpler devices, such as home appliances,
portable digital assistants, cell phones as well as active and passive Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) devices (Castro-Leon and Munter 2005).
The new and more precise definition was taken up by the scientific community.
Grid Computing is now considered by the research community to be a middle-
ware layer enabling a secure, reliable, and efficient sharing of computing and data
resources among independent organizational entities (Weishäupl et al. 2005).
After being successfully applied in eScience, Grid Computing attracted attention
in industry as well. The new definition and focus of Grid Computing was adopted by
industry with different interpretation. IBM for example describes Grid Computing
indirectly by referring to its features:
“Grid computing allows you to unite pools of servers, storage systems, and networks into a
single large system so you can deliver the power of multiple-systems resources to a single
user point for a specific purpose. To a user, data file, or an application, the system appears
to be a single enormous virtual computing system.” (Kourpas 2006)
Some analysts, as for example Quocirca (2003), defined Grid as a specific archi-
tecture:
“Grid computing is an architectural approach to creating a flexible technology infra-
structure, enabling the pooling of network, hardware and software resources to meet
the requirements of business processes. The components of a Grid architecture (e.g.
computing units, storage, databases, functional applications and services) work together
to maximise component utilisation while minimising the need for continual upgrading of
individual component capacity.”
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