Grid Computing

Grid computing is a computer network in which each computer’s resources are shared with every other computer in the system. It is a distributed architecture of large numbers of computers connected to solve a complex problem. In the grid computing model, servers on personal computers run independent tasks and are loosely linked by the internet or low-speed networks. In the ideal grid computing system, every resource is shared, turning a computer network into a powerful supercomputer. With the right user interface, accessing a grid computing system would look no different than accessing a local machine’s resources. Every authorized computer would have access to enormous processing power and storage capacity. 

Grid Computing

• Grid computing in India is a technique that enables several computers, generally geographically dispersed but linked through networks, to collaborate on common activities.
• Grid computing in India is operated on a “data grid,” a collection of computers. It communicates directly with one another in order to coordinate different duties and tasks.

How Grid Computing Works?

• Grid computing is accomplished by the execution of specific software on each machine which is a member of the data grid. 
• The programme serves as the system’s manager, coordinating different duties throughout the grid. 
• More precisely, the programme allocates subtasks to each computer, allowing them to operate simultaneously on their assigned subtasks.
• After subtasks are completed, the results are collected and aggregated to accomplish a larger-scale task.
• The programme enables each computer to speak with the others through the network to exchange information about which subtasks each machine is currently doing and how to consolidate and deliver results.

Application of Grid Computing

• In an ideal grid computing environment, all available resources are shared across authorized computers, thereby transforming them into powerful computers.  
• Distributed Supercomputing 
• Data-intensive Supercomputing 
• On-demand Supercomputing 

Application Partitioning

• Application partitioning entails segmenting the issue into separate components.
• Application partitioning enables improved disaster management by allowing access to a large amount of data from a variety of geographic areas and data sources such as satellites, sensors, and historical data.
• It is unique in that it allows for the simultaneous processing of large amounts of data by spreading it over several grid nodes.
• Application partitioning is employed in the film business since it is more efficient and saves time.
• Computers aid in the addition of effects, but they also enable the film to be produced more quickly than normal via the use of grid computing.
• The growth in consumers interested in online gaming has resulted in an increase in traffic and this is where grid computing helps by processing quicker and better.

Grid Computing in India

GARUDA

• C-DAC established the Indian National Computer Clusters Project GARUDA intending to facilitate scientific, technical, and improvement of living standards solutions.
• GARUDA works in collaboration with scientific and technical experts to develop a countrywide grid of computer nodes, mass storage, and scientific instrumentation.
• The goal is to allow data and compute-intensive research and engineering applications in the twenty-first century.
• One of GARUDA’s primary problems is striking the appropriate balance between researchers and innovation deployment in complicated scientific and technical activities.
• The Department of Information Technology (DIT) has sponsored the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to build the country’s first countrywide computing grid, ‘GARUDA’ which will link 17 cities and deliver “Grid” connected computers to laboratories and business.
• Grid Computing and Disaster Management: The project was conceived in 2006 by the Center for Advanced Computing Development (C-DAC) and the Space Application Center (SAC), both of which operate on the GARUDA grid.
• Its research focuses on river flood assessment via the use of Synthetic-aperture radar (SAR), Utility Computing, and Geosynchronous SATellite (GSAT) technologies.
• When there is a flood, an airplane equipped with a Synthetic-Aperture Radar is winged over the flood-hit area.
• Even under adverse weather circumstances, the SAR can collect data on the flood area for cloud, fog, dim light, etc.

Conclusion 

The computing resources in most of the organizations are underutilized but are necessary for certain operations. The idea of grid computing is to make use of such non-utilised power by the needy organizations and thereby the return on investments (RoI) on computing investments can be increased. The benefits of grid computing include resource balancing, making use of unutilised resources, parallel CPU capacity, virtual resources and virtual organizations for collaborations, reliability and better management. India established the “GARUDA” India’s National Computer Clusters Project which intends to facilitate scientific, technical, and improvement of living standards solutions. It will help officials to mitigate the problem of natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes etc.