Alchemi: A .NET-based Grid Computing Framework and its Integration into Global Grids

Title: Alchemi: A .NET-based Grid Computing Framework and its Integration into Global Grids

Research Question: How can a .NET-based grid computing framework be developed to enable effective utilization of computing resources, particularly those running variants of the Microsoft Windows operating system?

Methodology: The researchers developed Alchemi, a .NET-based grid computing framework that provides the runtime machinery and programming environment required to construct desktop grids and develop grid applications. This framework supports both object-oriented grid thread programming model and a grid job model for coarse-grained abstraction, ensuring flexibility, scalability, reliability, and extensibility.

Results: Alchemi allows flexible application composition and supports dedicated and non-dedicated execution by grid nodes. Cross-platform support is provided via a web services interface, enabling the creation of a global and cross-platform grid environment. The framework has been successfully implemented on the Microsoft .NET Platform, making it an ideal platform for grid computing middleware.

Implications: The development of Alchemi has significant implications for the field of grid computing. It addresses the lack of service-oriented architecture-based grid computing software in the Windows-based space, enabling the harnessing of unused computational power of desktop PCs and workstations for large-scale problems in science, engineering, and commerce. Furthermore, the framework's support for both object-oriented and grid job models caters to different programming preferences, enhancing its adaptability and usability.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0402017v1 Authors: arXiv ID: 0402017v1