| In February 1974 this author, as a math major at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, (co)invented a now well-rooted but computationally complex concept of “hyperperfect numbers” and he used an early form of grid computing—also known as utility computing—to study this concept (see pages 83 and 86). His interest in grid computing that grew out of this 1970s work lasted throughout the late 1980s and into the early 2000s.
This is the first book that takes a comprehensive view of grid computing technology from a networking perspective. Grid computing seamlessly integrates resources and services across distributed, heterogeneous, dynamic “virtual organizations” that span disparate administrative entities within a single enterprise and/or external entities or service providers. The past decade has seen a significant level of government funding directed at grid-related projects at NASA, national laboratories, supercomputer centers, and academic institutions.
Up to now, grid computing has been largely of interest to researchers at mathematics and computer science departments, national laboratories, informatics institutes, and government-funded research laboratories, but it turns out that this technology can be of value to Fortune 500 Companies looking to reduce their run-the-engine costs. A fair number of such companies are already availing themselves of the clear financial benefits; others may soon follow.
Commoditization of any sort of resource works to the clear advantage of the user and it affords at-large macroeconomics benefits. In recent years, we have seen the aggressive commoditization of all sorts of consumer entertainment electronics, personal computers, and personal communication devices such as cellular telephones and Personal Digital Assistants. This has resulted in a precipitous decrease in prices (and costs) of these products. |