Applications Of Grid Computing: Fill & Download for Free

Grid computing is the collection of computer resources from multiple locations to reach a common goal.The grid can be thought as a distributed system with non-interactive workloads that involve a large no. of files.“A computational grid is a hardware and software infrastructure that provides dependable, consistent, pervasive, and inexpensive access to high-end computational capabilities.”Users (or client applications) gain access to computing resources ( processors,storage ,data,applications and so on) as needed with little or no knowledge of where these resources are located or what the underlying technologies ,hardware,operating system and so on….The grid links together computing resources( PCs, workstations,servers,storage elements) and provides a mechanism to access them.in grid computing ,Each computing task is broken down into smaller pieces and distributed throughout the available computing resources for execution.These pieces are processed in parallel ,and as a result,completion is achieved in a smaller amount of time. Ex- just take the following equation…A=(2 X 3)+(1 X 7) + (4 X 6)on desktop computer ,steps needed to calculate the value of A are :step 1: 6+(1 X 7) + (4 X 6)step 2: 6 + 7+(4X 6)step 3: 6+7+24step 4: A=37In grid computing scenario (with three processors or three computersStep 1: A= 6 + 7 + 24Step 2: A = 37As you can see, steps get combined in the Grid Computing scenario due to the multiplicity of resources. The overall effect is that fewer steps are needed, which translates into shorter time frames.Types of Grids:Computational gridData GridCollaboration GridNetwork GridUtility Grid

Most of the things that people are doing with respect to "cloud computing" were being done with respect to "grid computing", and most of the companies building "grid computing" software are now building "cloud computing" solutions. As you may have noticed, "cloud" is a general set of loosely related concepts, and neither represents a single nor an agreed-upon definition. As a result, its meaning tends to be defined by the ever-present unholy union of analysts and vendors, both of whom struggle to stay relevant in an industry where new terms are generated on a continual basis.All of that said, the concepts present in cloud computing typically are a super-set of the concepts that were associated with grid computing, with the notable additions of:1) support for public clouds - where the computing resources are available on demand from other business entities (whereas grid resources were typically internal to an organization)2) support for self-service, both in terms of interactive self-service and (much more importantly!) API-based self-service3) APIs and other technology generally centered on web standards (e.g. HTTP, XML, SOAP, REST/JSON), such as for messaging, storage, notifications, provisioning, logging, management, monitoring, etc.None of these things are found in the definition of cloud computing, per se, but all have emerged as dominant themes in the cloud computing industry as it has attempted to self-referentially define itself.

2 categories come to mind:1) Online, massive scale, transactional, consumer web sites (Facebook, Google)2) Offline, parallel processing, grid computing.I'm assuming this question is looking for apps in the 2nd category.If recent history is any indication, then common uses of grid computing include:Quantum MechanicsWeather forecastingMilitary simulationsPhysics ModelingFinancial Forecasting (Hedge Fund Analysis)(see http://www.ehow.com/facts_5191532_uses-supercomputer_.html)Of course, we'll probably continue to overestimate what apps can utilize this level infrastructure in 5 years, but underestimate what is possible in 10 years.On a 10 year horizon, the emerging M2M / Internet of Things industry could harness a grid of this size to analyze sensors embedded into every walk of life, then make predictions on what civil infrastructure may be due for servicing and repair (think bridges and buildings susceptible to earthquakes).