The Grid System Design Liu Xiangrui Beijing Institute of Technology
Outline Background Grid definition Grid characteristics Main problems to be solved The function model of a grid system
Outline Background Grid definition Grid characteristics Main problems to be solved The function model of a grid system
Background Build many grid systems. Information Power Grid TeraGrid DataGrid …… These systems applied to different fields have same aims. The design of an appropriate grid system is a problem.
Outline Background Grid definition Grid characteristics Main problems to be solved The function model of a grid system
Grid definition Base ： resources over multiple administrative domains. Aim: a integrated computing environment that includes various hardware and software. Function: provide many services, support virtual organizations, etc Means: coordinated resource sharing
Outline Background Grid definition Grid characteristics Main problems to be solved The function model of a grid system
Grid characteristics Coordinated resource sharing Comprehensiveness of resources Single system image Various services
Coordinated resource sharing Through improving resource interoperability, not primarily file exchange In grid system, users can direct access to various resources Users and resources can cooperate in many ways to finish a task
Comprehensiveness of resources There are many classes of resources Computational resources Storage resources Network resources …… A class of resources include many kinds of resources Computational resources may include PCs, cluster systems and mainframe computers.
Single system image In grid system, there is a uniform view of resources and system states Resource attributes Task execution information …… For users, a grid system is just a supercomputer and hides the locations, structures of resources.
Various services A grid system supports many types and modes of applications to meet different kinds and levels of users' demands. Supercomputing Data intensive computing Virtual observatory ……
Outline Background Grid definition Grid characteristics Main problems to be solved The function model of a grid system
Main problems to be solved Security Resource sharing Single system image System usability
Security Main requirements Authentication, authorization Communication protection Integration with various local security solutions …… Each part includes many components Authentication includes single sign on, delegation, user-based trust. Adopt the comprehensive, multi-layer security solutions
Resource sharing Requirement Direct access to resources Standard protocols and interfaces to access resources must be defined About access to computational resources About access to storage resources …… The individuality of resources must be kept Computational resources and network resources are different classes of resources and can not have same mode to use.
Single system image Main requirements Single user GUI Single resource view …. Through middleware layer The functions of the middleware layer includes resource location, node attributes and states collection, the management of users’ tasks etc.
System usability System usability means that users can use grid system easily and experience its benefit. User GUI, such as Web Aided tools: programming tools and many API
Outline Background Grid definition Grid characteristics Main problems to be solved The function model of a grid system
The function model of grid
User assistant Function Provide user GUI Receive the consignment of the user identity Manage the global user identity Manage user tasks Role On behalf of a user Make the user free from various kinds of concrete authentication and task management
Security center Function Create and issue certificates Manage certificates Role The base of the system security mechanisms. TLS-based user authentication and communication protection can be implemented.
Information server Function Maintain a uniform view of resources and system states Dynamically manage registration information of resources Provide resource discovery and enquiry Role The base of single system image. The information in information server is static and global, and does not include the information about the execution of tasks
Scheduler Function Automatically allocate tasks to resources to lighten the user’s burden and improve system performance Coordinate with other schedulers when the requirements between tasks conflict Role Task-level scheduler, not a global scheduler It includes many scheduling strategies and algorithms.
Monitor Function Monitor tasks according to users’ demands Create the execution log of tasks Detect fault Analyze, tune and predict performance Role Task-level monitor Publisher/Subscriber mechanism
Resource agent Function Manage local resources Provide standard interfaces for resource sharing Support many mechanisms such as resource registration and task monitor Role On behalf of local resources
Conclusion Grid system is a complex system, so overall analysis is necessary.