Introduction
Grid Computing refers to a network of computers working together to accomplish a task that would have been difficult to perform on a single machine. This system works on a data grid where the computers interact to perform the jobs.
The tasks performed through grid computing are challenging to be performed on a single machine. All these tasks require analyzing massive datasets and simulating situations of high computing power.
It is a subset of Distributed Computing. It can also be referred to as a form of Parallel Computing. Since there are no standard rules and protocols established and accepted by people, it is not yet perfected.
How Grid Computing Works?
Grid Computing Network consists of three types of machines:-
- Control Node/Server - It refers to a server or a group of servers whose job is to administrate the whole network and maintain the account of the resources in the network pool.
- Provider - It refers to the computer which will contribute its resources to the network resource pool.
- User - It refers to the computer that will use the network resources.
Grid Computing runs specialized software on every computer involved in the network. This software will coordinate and manage all the tasks of the grid. The main task will be segregated into subtasks, which will be assigned to each computer, and all these computers will then work simultaneously. After all these subtasks are completed, the results are aggregated to meet the more significant main task.
Middleware is a software protocol used for controlling the network and its resources. It is responsible for administrating the network. The job of the control node is to look into the matter that no provider is overloaded with tasks.
Middleware also can authorize any process being executed on the network. It is responsible for ensuring that no unwanted job is being run on the network. Grid Computing is used in various areas to solve mathematical and analytical problems.