Grid Computing

Grid computing uses the distributed resources in an efficient manner, to achieve a desired goal. A grid has various nodes distributed over the network, with workload distributed to them. Each node is assigned particular tasks.

Nodes are remote and heterogeneous and they work irrespective of the location where they are. A grid has both capabilities, whether to perform a particular task, or many of them as a whole. General purpose middle-ware software libraries can be used to design grids.

A grid computing network involves remotely located systems, that don't share their physical locations, and come together to perform the tasks assigned. It serves as a reliable computing method, which involves a connection over Ethernet or personal networks, or VPN's, which is totally different from the conventional computing resources that are physically coupled with each other.

Multiple administrations domain may need to come together to implement the tasks or applications, and dissolve after the completion of their goals.

Grids vary in size, ranging from small to large. Smaller grids can be used in computer work stations with limited systems, also can be referred as into-nodes cooperation. While, larger grids are employed in the places where a number of companies work in collaboration to reach a common goal and can be termed as inter-node cooperations.

The technology has been applied to the fields that involve intensive scientific, mathematical, and academic computation problems. The commercial applications are discovery of drugs, economic forecasting, seismic analysis, and data processing.