Grid Computing: Software Environments and Tools [Paperback]

Jose Cardoso Cunha (Editor), Omer F. Rana (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 9, 2005

Grid Computing requires the use of software that can divide and farm out pieces of a program to as many as several thousand computers. This book explores processes and techniques needed to create a successful Grid infrastructure. Leading researchers in Europe and the US look at the development of specialist tools and environments which will encourage the convergence of the parallel programming, distributed computing and data management communities. Specific topics covered include: An overview of structural and behavioural properties of Computer Grid applications Discussion of alternative programming techniques Case studies displaying the potential of Computer Grids in solving real problems This book is unique in its outline of the needs of Computational Grids both in integration of high-end resources using OGSA/Globus, and the loose integration of Peer-2-Peer/Entropia/United Devices. Readers will gain an insight on the limitations of existing approaches as well as the standardisation activities currently taking place.

Editorial Reviews

Review

No review will do this book justice. Being in the field of Grid Computing, I know how hard it is to find a text that covers the Software Engineering aspects of Grid without the heavy math presentation and chapters of theory upon theory. There is nothing wrong with theory of Grid Computing, but after reading the basics you need to actually architect and build your applications for Grid. This is the first book that covers Grid Computing from the architects’ perspective – and does so in a practical matter. This book aims at demonstrating and teaching the difficult task of Software Engineering aspects of Grid Computing. Grid-enabling an application is not like any other methodologies that we have heard before as it requires intimate knowledge of the underlying infrastructure (network, operating system, memory, etc) along with an in-depth knowledge of the application which one is Grid-enabling. The book targets developers of Grid applications primarily, with a focus on what the authors call "deployment specialists". It focuses on this very aspect of Software Engineering and explores the how-to in order to ensure common understanding of the Grid across the organization. It is a practical approach to Grid computing and Software Engineering aspect of Grid. The authors take the readers thru a journey of what it means to build a Grid from ground-up: software architecture, infrastructure, development, deployment, monitoring, upgrade, etc… I highly recommend this text to anyone interested in the field of Grid Computing or Software development for Grid environment. "Art Sedighi"

From the Back Cover

With the emergence of regional, national and global programmes to establish Grid computing infrastructure, it is important to be able to utilise this infrastructure effectively. Specialist software is therefore necessary to enable the deployment of applications over such Grid infrastructure, and to help software developers construct suitable components. The uptake of Grid computing technologies will be restricted by the availability of suitable methodologies and tools. The aim of this book is to identify exemplary software engineering techniques for Grid environments, along with specialist tools that encapsulate such techniques. Case studies that illustrate their use are also discussed. The book provides: • Discussion of software engineering and modelling tools for the Grid • Analysis of issues inherent in enabling distributed computing across the Grid • Consideration of the software engineering support necessary for managing Grid applications • Proposal of a posited software engineering lifecycle to support application development for Grid Environments (along with associated tools). • Identification of novel concepts, methods and tools within Grid computing which can be put to work in the context of existing experiments and application case studies

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1st Edition. edition (December 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852339985
• ISBN-13: 978-1852339982
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,937,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars case studies of using Grid, January 17, 2006

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W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Grid Computing: Software Environments and Tools (Paperback)

Grid computing is a promising field for advanced scientific and engineering problems. But the expertise is specialised, as shown in this book. You might be able to get useful tips on using Globus as your Grid environment.

The main attraction of the book seems to be the case studies of different problems that have been ported to the Grid. More or less successfully. It's up to you to decide if you can take any of the ideas in the examples and map these to your research.