Understand the Connections

One of the fast growing concepts in the software area is the ‘Distributed Computing” a k a “Compute Farms” or “Server Farms”

In simple words, it is about utilizing a set of network connected computers/servers to do parallel connected jobs. One of the mandatory requirements is the jobs being submitted should have the scope of running parallel, i.e. if the tasks defined to be preformed can only happen in the sequential form then it does not help in “Distributed computing”.

Some more basic uses of DC being

“Optimally place computing tasks and balance the load on a set of networked computers

Allow users to generate and queue more computing tasks than can be run at the moment

Ensure that tasks are executed with respect to priority and to providing all users with a fair share of access over time”

Redhat has GFS , Sun provides Grid Engine and even Google has its own Google Compute and Platform Software offers LSF. However Google Compute uses your computers idle time for their project.

I have used LSF from Platform at a very expert level and can vouch its really powerful.