The idea of grid computing has been around since the days when computerswere first networked. The academic community has long been fascinated withthe potential to link together the world's computers to tackle massivecomputational and social problems, such as forecasting the weather and curingintractable diseases.
 | |||
|
| | |
| |||
In combination, the technologies present themselves to applicationdevelopers as dozens, if not hundreds, of different environments to support.Even Java, the Holy Grail of write-once, run-anywhere interoperability,collapses in the face of such a daunting task. Thus, grid computing haslanguished in the backwater of computing.
Grid computing may not be mainstream, but those devoted to it havepersevered by addressing stubborn challenges in a very thoughtfulway. The emergence of the Internet and the near ubiquity of Windows haveaccelerated their efforts.
Much of the work is represented in the Globus Project, an academiccollaboration that has addressed and overcome many of the challengespresented by today's global, heterogeneous network of computers. Takingnotice of this effort, the largest computer companies are integrating theproject's results into industrial-strength grid computing environments.
These companies realize that grid computing will tie disparate desktopmachines and servers together--and may even spur a demand for new machines.Given the importance placed on providing integrated hardware, software andservices, Compaq Computer, IBM, Sun Microsystems and other companies recognizethe wisdom in offering grid computing options to their customers.
However, grid computing is much more than the latest fad.Stimulated by the Internet, computing is undergoing a profound transitioninto its third wave of evolution. First-wave computing was defined byterminal/mainframe interaction. Second-wave computing was defined byclient-server interaction. Third-wave computing will be defined by grid-peerinteraction.
Today's hot "edge" technologies--such as peer-to-peer networking, content-deliverynetworks, instant messaging and Web services--are the first manifestationsof a computational model, which will ultimately distribute applicationlogic, transactions, collaboration and data horizontally across the globe.
Enterprises are preoccupied with vertically integrating their applicationswith the Internet and tools such as enterprise portals. As they succeed,they will begin to look for solutions that allow them to horizontally integratetheir computing environments with those of their customers,suppliers and trading partners. Web services models--Sun One, WebSphere and .Net --will provide a substantial part of the fabric necessary for enablinginterenterprise transactions.
Looking beyond the Web services model, similar capabilities will be neededto build the collaborative, computational and content networks of thefuture. IBM and the Globus Project's Open Grid Services Architecture is the first to take acomprehensive view of these disparate yet related requirements and attemptto rationalize them into a coherent computing landscape--an insightful movebecause each of the future networks share common problems. Solving problemsin one type of network will benefit the other types. In that regard, SamPalmisano, soon to be IBM's CEO, is precisely correct that Web services is asynergistic component within the overarching grid architecture.
No doubt, others will make similar proclamations to try to trump IBM andother competitors in this global computing architecture "space race." Butas in the early days of the race to the moon, society is merely at the beginning of the decadewhen the Internet will transform itself into an ubiquitous fabric composed ofgrids (and peers).
In the short run, enterprises will have their hands full figuring how tointegrate themselves horizontally with Web services tools that are not yetfully proven and trying to rationalize the accompanying transactionalnetworks into a more seamless and generally useful computing infrastructure.
In the next few years, computational grids and then transactional (Webservices) grids will provide the most useful benefits--which is what thisbuzz is all about.
(For a related commentary, on virtual computing, see gartner.com.)
Entire contents, Copyright © 2002 Gartner, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein represents Gartner's initial commentary and analysis and has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Positions taken are subject to change as more information becomes available and further analysis is undertaken. Gartner disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information. Gartner shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information contained herein or for interpretations thereof.