Grid technology has been identified
as one of the promising trend in computing technology.
Grid computing can be defined as a form of distributed
computing that involves coordinating and sharing computing,
application, data, storage, or network resources across
dynamic and geographically dispersed organizations. Grid
technologies promise to change the way organizations tackle
complex computational problems. With this awareness, UM
has came up with E-Grid of its own which is known as GERANIUM.
GERANIUM is an abbreviation of Grid-Enabled ReseArch Network
and Infostructure of the University of Malaya, a University
of Malaya Campus Wide Research Grid Initiative. GERANIUM
will provide a group collaboration environment which is
seamless and integrated computational. When portal is
installed using a Web browser, users will be able to view
and select grid resources and services in a virtual infinite
machine room. The implications are enormous. The vision
is to offer dependable, consistent, pervasive, and inexpensive
access to high-end resources.
What
is Cluster
Multiple computers can be grouped together to form a
cluster. Complex problems are solved using cluster computer,
when such program is run on a cluster, each computers
in the cluster is assigned a portion of the complex problem
and each solving it independently, but in a synchronise
manner, the result is the overall problem is solved in
a short time.
What
is an E-Grid
Multiple clusters can be grouped into an E-Grid, this
enable users to view the system as a single logical computer,
hence it simplify the jobs submission and management.
It is clear that many applications can benefit from the
grid infrastructure, including collaborative engineering,
data exploration, high throughtput computing, and of course
distributed supercomputing. However, building a grid implies
the development and deployment of a number of services,
including those for resource discovery, scheduling configuration
management, security, and payment mechanism in an open
environment.
Background
PTM has invited
Associate Professor Putchong Uthayopas from Kasertsart
University, Thailand to conduct a 3-day workshop on
Cluster, Parallel and Grid Computing on 23-25 August
2005. Participants are associate Professors, lecturers,researchers
and technical staffs from PTM, Faculty of Computers
Science and Information Technology, Engineering Faculty,
Institute of Science Biology, Science Faculty and Chemistry
Department. Basically, the workshop covered the introduction
to cluster, installation cluster using NPACI ROCK, introduction
to parallel programming, introduction to grid computing
and developing Grid application using MPI and GridRPC.
With
the help of Prof Putchong, on the 26 August 2005, PTM
has set up grid infrastructure which included:
The Development of PTM Cluster known
as perdana.geranium.um.edu.my
The Development of CA (Certification
Authority) server for security of E-Grid
The Development of E-Grid University
Malaya known as geranium.um.edu.my
The Connection of GERANIUM to MYREN
The Connection of PTM Cluster to
GERANIUM
The Connection of COMBI Cluster
(Institute of Science Biology Cluster) to GERANIUM
Acknowledgement
Special thanks to Prof Putchong, Mr Somsak Sriprayoonsakul
and Mr Kittirak Moungmingsuk for their contribution in
the Cluster, Parallel and Grid Computing Workshop and
their help in setting up the Grid Infrastructure in UM.
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