Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
3.5 Classification of Grids
Grid Computing can be classified according to different criteria:
• Resources focused on
• Scope of resource sharing involved
3.5.1 Classification of Grids According to the Resource Focus
Even though the ultimate goal of Grid Computing is to provide sharing of any kind
of resources, historically Grid middleware emerged with focus on specific kinds
of resources. According to the resources focused on, the following types of Grid
middleware can be distinguished (Baker et al. 2002, Quocirca 2003):
• Compute Grids, focus on sharing of computing resources, i.e. CPU.
• Data Grids, focus on controlled storage, management and sharing of large-scale
heterogeneous and distributed data
• Application Grids, “
are concerned with application management and providing
access to remote software and libraries transparently
” (Baker et al. 2002)
• Service Grids, result from the convergence of Grid and Service-oriented
Computing and support the efficient sharing of services.
These four different types of Grid Computing are converging into an overall generic
Grid middleware with combined functionality.
3.5.2 Classification of Grids According to Scope of Resource Sharing
Depending on the scope of resource sharing involved, the following Grid Computing
approaches in companies can be distinguished:
• Cluster Grids
• Enterprise Grids
• Utility Grid Services
• Partner/Community Grids
These four different types of Company or Business Grids are explained in more
detail below.
3.5.2.1 Cluster Grids
Cluster Grids, or clusters, are a collection of co-located computers connected by a
high-speed local area network and designed to be used as an integrated computing
or data processing resource (see fig. 3.2).
