(15)What is grid computation? List down benefits of grid computation



Answer:
  • The grid computing is a special kind of distributed computing in which each computer's resources are shared with every other computer in the network.
  • Grid computing is the use of widely distributed computer resources to reach a common goal. 
  • A grid computing system can be as simple as a collection of similar computers running on the same operating system or as complex as inter-networked systems comprised of every computer platform.
Benefits of Grid Computing:
(1)Usage of Idle or Underutilized Resources:
  • Grid computing helps in much more efficient use of idle or underutilized resources.
  • Jobs can be farmed out to idle servers or even idle desktops many of which sit idle especially during off business hours.

(2)Reliability:
  • Grid environments are much more modular and do not have single points of failure.
  • If one of the servers/desktops within the grid fails other resources able to pick the load and jobs can automatically restart if a failure occurs.


(3)Centralized Administration of Software:
  • The software is really the brain behind the grid and policies can be managed by the main grid software.
  • A client will reside on each node which sends information back to the master about the availability or resources it has to complete incoming jobs.

(4)Upgrade without disruption:
  • Upgrading and maintenance can be done on the fly without scheduling downtime.
  • Since there are so many resources some can be taken offline while leaving enough for work to continue.


(5)Parallel CPU Capacity:
  • Jobs can be executed in parallel speeding performance.
  • Grid environments are extremely well suited to run jobs that can be split into smaller chunks and run concurrently on many nodes.

(6)Access to Additional Resources:
  • In addition to CPU and storage resources, a grid can provide access to other resources as well.
  • The processing can be split between grids and hence capability is multiplied.


(7)Resource Balancing:
  • The grid computing can offer a resource balancing effect by scheduling grid jobs on machines with low usage and hence it can handle occasional peak loads of activity in the organization.

(8)Virtual Resource and Virtual Organizations for Collaborations:
  • The users of grid computing can be organized into number of virtual organizations, each with different policy requirements and virtual organizations can share their resources with each other’s, collectively as larger grid.


(9)Scalability:
  • Grid computing model scales up very well.
  • If need arises for more computers, organization just need plug them in by installing grid client on additional desktops or servers. They can be removed just as easily on the fly.