Vega grid: A computer systems approach to grid research

This paper presents a computer systems approach used in the Vega Grid project at Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The main feature is to view a grid as a computer system at the hardware and operating system level, and utilize the knowledge and methodologies accumulated in the past 40 years in computer systems design. Following this method, the Vega Grid team identified several core problems, developed a Vega Grid systems architecture, and proposed several systems technologies, such as grid-enabling servers, grid routers, grid switches, grid address spaces, grid process (grip), grid community (agora), and GSML software. Taking advantage of web services and OSGA/Globus grid services, these techniques have potentials in developing a dynamic, open society of people and computers.