Grid Computing and Modern Grid Technologies

While grid computing means different things to different people, a common theme of grid-based approaches to distributed computing is applying the use of many computers to solve demanding problems.

Originally designed for computationally intensive applications, traditional grid computing was developed in the academic world as a means to provide research institutions with a better way to solve complex problems by sharing their computers and their data.

From these beginnings, modern grid computing technologies, such as application fabric software and grid-based application servers, have been developed as a way to harness inexpensive servers in a data center to solve mission-critical business problems. These technologies are used by enterprises challenged with developing and deploying data- and CPU-intensive applications in order to remain competitive.

In addition to being used to solve data-intensive problems, grid computing platforms are often deployed in conjunction with cloud computing, software-as-a-service (SaaS) and extreme transaction processing (XTP) initiatives.

Characteristics of Grid-Based Application Platforms

The grid-based application platform is unique in its ability to cost effectively:

Deliver reliable application scalability
Generate low-cost transactional power on demand
Support highly distributed environments
Provide near real-time data processing

It provides a simplified approach to large scale application deployment and it is not restricted by hardware and software dependencies.

Characteristics of grid-based application platforms include:

Scalability for the applications that run in the grid environment
Virtualized management
Reliability
Distributed caching and state management

Benefits of Grid-Based Application Platforms

By dramatically simplifying the process of developing, deploying and operating highly scalable applications, grid-based application platforms achieve outstanding ROI by allowing you to:

Change the game in your industry
Bring new capabilities to market more quickly and cost effectively
Increase your enterprise's agility
Reduce capital expenditure and operational costs

Unlike traditional application platforms, grid approaches deliver the functionality, flexibility, reliability and affordability required by architects, developers and executives alike.

Industry Trends toward Grid-Based Application Platforms

More and more companies are in the market for low-cost transactional power to cope with rapid business growth and/or to minimize the cost of running business-critical applications. Grid-based application platforms deliver the scalable, reliable computing power needed to meet these challenges in an economical way.

Any industry or business sector that relies upon data and/or CPU intensive applications can benefit from modern grid technologies.

Appistry Solution to Grid Computing

Appistry Enterprise Application Fabric (EAF) is a leading grid-based application platform for developing, deploying and managing highly scalable and reliable applications. With Appistry EAF, data- and CPU-intensive software developed using technologies like Java, Spring, .NET or C/C++ can be easily scaled-out across a virtualized grid of inexpensive servers.