Grid Architecture
Grid Architecture
Grid Architecture
• Data Grid : A data grid is a grid computing system that deals with data- the
controlled sharing and management of large amount of distributed data. For
example:-Biomedical informatics research network (BIRN),the southern california
earthquake center (SCEC).
• The nodes may consist of machines with similar platforms using same OS called
homogeneous networks, else machines with different platforms running on various different
OS called heterogeneous networks.
• When it is not in use it should ideally contribute it’s resources to the network. Hence a normal
computer on the node can swing in between being a user or a provider based on it’s needs.
• For controlling the network and it’s resources a software/networking protocol is used
generally known as Middleware. This is responsible for administrating the network and the
control nodes are merely it’s executors.
• As a grid computing system should use only unused resources of a computer, it is the job of
the control node that any provider is not overloaded with tasks.
• Another job of the middleware is to authorize any process that is being executed on the
network. In a grid computing system, a provider gives permission to the user to run anything
on it’s computer, hence it is a huge security threat for the network.
APPLICATIONS :
• Distributed Supercomputing : Distributed supercomputing may seem like a
fancy term but it’s very easy to understand. Let me put it this way, a grid
computing network spread across different geographical areas, even
different countries is distributed supercomputing.
1. Control Node:
A computer, usually a server or a group of servers which administrates the whole
network and keeps the account of the resources in the network pool.
2. Provider:
The computer which contributes it’s resources in the network resource pool.
3. User:
The computer that uses the resources on the network.
ADVANTAGES :
• Grid computing are not that expensive. They are quite efficient
and reliable machines and can solve complex problems in
limited time.
• They are scalable ,grid computing follows distributed
computing architecture. Grid computing is application oriented.
• They work in a decentralized management system. They can
use existing hardware. Can easily associate with other
organization
• Tasks and instructions can be performed in parallel speeding.
They are capable of using CPU’s extended power.
• Grid computing follows distributed computing architecture.
• Capable of solving larger , more complex problems in shorter time.
• Easier to collaborate with other organizations.
• Grid computing works in a group if any one of the computer is
unavailable the workload is distributed across the remaining
computers.
• The grid computing can be upgrade on the fly without scheduling
downtime.
• The software is considered as the brain behind the grid computing .
Policies can be managed by the grid software.
DISADVANTAGES :
• They are not interactive for job submissions. Grid system is not
fully evolved.
• Learning curve to get started .Difficult in sharing resources across
different admins.
• Grid environment can work with smaller servers.
• Some applications may not work with full potential.
• Grid software and standards are still evolving.
• Political challenges associated with sharing resources. Many groups
are reluctant with sharing resources even if benefits everyone
involved.
• You may need to have an interconnection between compute
resources.
• Applications would need tweaking to take full advantage of new
models of computing.
LAYERED GRID ARCHITECTURE :
LAYERS…
• Bottom layer is the network layer, which assures the connectivity
for the resources in the Grid.
• Resource layer : Sharing a single resource is its main function. Resource layer
need access to resource such as invoke remote computation, monitor
computation, discover resources and to perform data transport.
• Connectivity layer : Connectivity layer provide secure grid communication and
authentication for specific network transactions. Connectivity layer assumes
trust in based on user, not on service providers. It use public key infrastructure.
In it, User is recognized by a certificate authority within grid and allows users to
authenticate only once.
• Fabric layer : Fabric layer is the bottom layer or the lowest layer of grid
architecture. Responsibility of this layer is to manage a resource like to reserve
usage in advance and allocate apace. Grid fabric layer provides standardized
access to local resources-specific operation. Fabric layer diverse resources such
as computers, storage media, networks and sensors.