Grid Computing

"Union makes us stronger!"

Grid Computing is a technology that allow us using all kind of resources (computing, storage and specific applications) in a coordinated way. These resources are not necessary under the same centralized control. In this sense it is a new kind of distributed computing, where resources can be heterogeneous (different architectures, different hardware, different topologies) and are connecting thought wide area networks (such Internet). Developments were started at research institutions in beginnings 90s.

The word "GRID" refers to an infrastructure that allows the integration of compute clusters, networks and data storage that are owned and managed by different institutions. It provides the platform of collaboration between institutions that wish/need to exchange large amounts of data and compute cycles. The aims of GRID is to make this integration as easy as possible. Universities, research institutes or private enterprises become partners to create a GRID infrastructures using the so called middleware that implements these concepts.