New to Grid computing


	1. What is grid computing?

	2. Getting started with emerging grid computing technologies

alphaWorks started one of the earliest showcases of grid computing in 2003, and today we provide emerging technologies from IBM Research and development labs that help in the adoption of grid computing. Along with the technology downloads, we have demos, discussion forums, and resources that allow you to interact with creators of the technology and the broader user community.

1. What is grid computing?

The major purpose of a grid is to make efficient use of resources in order to solve problems. In essence, grid computing allows you to unite pools of servers, storage systems, and networks into a single large system so you can deliver the power of multiple-systems resources to a single user point for a specific purpose. To a user, data file, or application, the system appears to be a single, enormous computing system.

With grid computing, an organization can transform its distributed and difficult-to-manage systems into a large virtual computer that can be set loose on problems and processes too complex for a single computer to handle efficiently. The problems to be solved can involve data processing, network bandwidth, or data storage.


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2. Getting started with emerging grid computing technologies

alphaWorks provides early releases of grid computing technology that include capabilities for computing or processing power; the ability to network file systems; and development of data storage, communication and application.

Get started with the Emerging Technologies Toolkit, a software development kit for designing, developing, and executing emerging autonomic and grid-related technologies and Web services.

Learn more about technologies such as ZetaGrid, a grid-computing platform designed for solving large, computing-intensive problems in a heterogeneous, dynamic environment, and OptimalGrid, a research prototype of grid-enabled middleware designed to hide complexities of partitioning, distributing, and load balancing.

Browse through the grid computing technologies or search for a grid topic in order to find a technology of interest to you. You can also join the discussion about any alphaWorks technology to learn more. And let us know what you think; your feedback is important to us is shaping the alphaWorks site and what we bring you.