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Grid Computing

Grid Computing is a network of computers that work together to perform complex tasks, acting as a virtual supercomputer by pooling resources like processing power and storage. It consists of control nodes, providers, and users, with middleware managing the network and ensuring security. Cluster Computing, on the other hand, involves tightly or loosely connected computers acting as a single system, offering high performance, scalability, and flexibility, but can be costly and complex to manage.

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4 views8 pages

Grid Computing

Grid Computing is a network of computers that work together to perform complex tasks, acting as a virtual supercomputer by pooling resources like processing power and storage. It consists of control nodes, providers, and users, with middleware managing the network and ensuring security. Cluster Computing, on the other hand, involves tightly or loosely connected computers acting as a single system, offering high performance, scalability, and flexibility, but can be costly and complex to manage.

Uploaded by

tanusneha456
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Grid Computing

Grid Computing can be defined as a network of computers


working together to perform a task that would rather be difficult for
a single machine. All machines on that network work under the same
protocol to act like a virtual supercomputer. The task that they work
on may include analysing huge datasets or simulating situations which
require high computing power. Computers on the network contribute
resources like processing power and storage capacity to the network.

Grid Computing is a subset of distributed computing, where a virtual super


computer comprises of machines on a network connected by some bus, mostly
Ethernet or sometimes the Internet. It can also be seen as a form of Parallel
Computing where instead of many CPU cores on a single machine, it contains
multiple cores spread across various locations. The concept of grid computing
isn’t new, but it is not yet perfected as there are no standard rules and protocols
established and accepted by people.

Working:
A Grid computing network mainly consists of these three types of machines

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.
When a computer makes a request for resources to the control node, control
node gives the user access to the resources available on the network. 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. 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. This
is the distinguishing part of grid computing from other distributed computing
architectures.
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. Hence a middleware should ensure that there is
no unwanted task being executed on the network.
The meaning of the term Grid Computing has changed over the years,
according to “The Grid: Blueprint for a new computing infrastructure” by Ian
Foster and Carl Kesselman published in 1999, the idea was to consume
computing power like electricity is consumed from a power grid. This idea is
similar to current concept of cloud computing, whereas now grid computing is
viewed as a distributed collaborative network.Currently grid computing is being
used in various institutions to solve a lot of mathematical, analytical and physics
problems.

Advantages of Grid Computing:


1. It is not centralized, as there are no servers required, except the
control node which is just used for controlling and not for processing.
2. Multiple heterogeneous machines i.e. machines with different
Operating Systems can use a single grid computing network.
3. Tasks can be performed parallelly across various physical locations
and the users don’t have to pay for it(with money).

Cluster computing
Introduction :
Cluster computing is a collection of tightly or loosely connected computers that
work together so that they act as a single entity. The connected computers
execute operations all together thus creating the idea of a single system. The
clusters are generally connected through fast local area networks (LANs)

The clusters are generally connected through fast local area networks
(LANs)

Cluster Computing

Why is Cluster Computing important?


1. Cluster computing gives a relatively inexpensive,
unconventional to the large server or mainframe computer
solutions.
2. It resolves the demand for content criticality and process
services in a faster way.
3. Many organizations and IT companies are implementing
cluster computing to augment their scalability, availability,
processing speed and resource management at economic
prices.
4. It ensures that computational power is always available.
5. It provides a single general strategy for the implementation
and application of parallel high-performance systems
independent of certain hardware vendors and their product
decisions.

A Simple Cluster Computing Layout

Types of Cluster computing :


1. High performance (HP) clusters :
HP clusters use computer clusters and supercomputers to solve
advance computational problems. They are used to performing
functions that need nodes to communicate as they perform their jobs.
They are designed to take benefit of the parallel processing power of
several nodes.
2. Load-balancing clusters :
Incoming requests are distributed for resources among several
nodes running similar programs or having similar content. This
prevents any single node from receiving a disproportionate amount of
task. This type of distribution is generally used in a web-hosting
environment.
3. High Availability (HA) Clusters :
HA clusters are designed to maintain redundant nodes that can
act as backup systems in case any failure occurs. Consistent
computing services like business activities, complicated databases,
customer services like e-websites and network file distribution are
provided. They are designed to give uninterrupted data availability to
the customers.
Classification of Cluster :
1. Open Cluster :
IPs are needed by every node and those are accessed only through
the internet or web. This type of cluster causes enhanced security
concerns.
2. Close Cluster :
The nodes are hidden behind the gateway node, and they
provide increased protection. They need fewer IP addresses and are
good for computational tasks.
Cluster Computing Architecture :
 It is designed with an array of interconnected individual
computers and the computer systems operating collectively as
a single standalone system.
 It is a group of workstations or computers working together as
a single, integrated computing resource connected via high
speed interconnects.
 A node – Either a single or a multiprocessor network having
memory, input and output functions and an operating system.
 Two or more nodes are connected on a single line or every
node might be connected individually through a LAN
connection.
Cluster Computing Architecture

Components of a Cluster Computer :


1. Cluster Nodes
2. Cluster Operating System
3. The switch or node interconnect
4. Network switching hardware

Cluster Components
Advantages of Cluster Computing :

1. High Performance :
The systems offer better and enhanced performance than that of
mainframe computer networks.

2. Easy to manage :
Cluster Computing is manageable and easy to implement.
3. Scalable :
Resources can be added to the clusters accordingly.
4. Expandability :
Computer clusters can be expanded easily by adding additional
computers to the network. Cluster computing is capable of combining
several additional resources or the networks to the existing computer
system.
5. Availability :
The other nodes will be active when one node gets failed and will
function as a proxy for the failed node. This makes sure for enhanced
availability.
6. Flexibility :
It can be upgraded to the superior specification or additional nodes can
be added.
Disadvantages of Cluster Computing :

1. High cost :
It is not so much cost-effective due to its high hardware and its design.
2. Problem in finding fault :
It is difficult to find which component has a fault.
3. More space is needed :
Infrastructure may increase as more servers are needed to manage
and monitor.
Applications of Cluster Computing :
 Various complex computational problems can be solved.
 It can be used in the applications of aerodynamics,
astrophysics and in data mining.
 Weather forecasting.
 Image Rendering.
 Various e-commerce applications.
 Earthquake Simulation.
 Petroleum reservoir simulation.

Distributed Computing:
A distributed computer system consists of multiple software components that are on
multiple computers, but run as a single system. The computers that are in a
distributed system can be physically close together and connected by a local network,
or they can be geographically distant and connected by a wide area network.

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