Most people know the problem that no matter how fast their computer is, it is sometimes not fast enough. This problem is also found with research and development where computation of a large number of interesting problems requires large amounts of computer power and/or storage for a shorter or longer period of time. This either results in that equipment is bought and suboptimally used for a longer period of time or that equipment for normal size problems is bought which cannot handle large problems.
This problem has made research groups throughout the world work on what today is now as "Grid computing". The goal of Grid computing is to connect all computers in the world - from PCs to super computers - in a huge, virtual computer. In this global computer, all connected resources, from computational power over storage space to databases, will be able to be used collectively. When a computer is not working for its owner, it will rather work on other people's important problems. It is expected that the natural sciences will use Grid computing for their computational needs within a few years, after which other fields of research will use Grid computing. In the end, Grid computing will reach ordinary Internet users.
This lecutre will introduce Grid computing, including the technologies goals and challenges, and give a status for current implementations.
Literature