Grid Computing is a new base technology that is increasingly important for the efficient utilization of distributed computing and storage resources. This technology is especially useful for complex numerical simulations, as it leverages distributed system environments to cope with the constantly growing resource demands of these applications.
A grid is a collection of distributed computing resources linked via networks (WANs, LANs), which presents itself to the user or application as a single large (virtual) system. The idea is to enable collaboration via standardized, secure and coordinated resource use across workplace, facility and resource boundaries. Grid computing permits distributed computing locally as well as across facility, system and software borders, making it easy for anyone within the grid to use the totality of computing power, data or information.
The Globus research and development project is working on a grid infrastructure, with the goal of creation the necessary basic technologies for computational grids.
At DLR Simulation and Software Technology , the following grid computing activities have taken place: