Exploiting grid computing, desktop grids and cloud computing for e‐science

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine three different, but related, distributed computing technologies in the context of public-funded e-science research, and to present the author's viewpoint on future directions. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes a critical look at the state-of-the-art with regard to three enabling technologies for e-science. It forms a set of arguments to support views on the evolution of these technologies in support of the e-science applications of the future. Findings – Although grid computing has been embraced in public-funded higher education institutions and research centres as an enabler for projects pertaining to e-science, the adoption of desktop grids is low. With the advent of cloud computing and its promise of on-demand provisioning of computing resources, it is expected that the conventional form of grid computing will gradually move towards cloud-based computing. However, cloud computing also brings with it the “pay-per-use” economic model, and this may act as stimulus for organisations engaged in e-science to harvest existing underutilised computation capacity through the deployment of organisation-wide desktop grid infrastructures. Conventional grid computing will continue to support future e-science applications, although its growth may remain stagnant. Originality/value – The paper argues that there will be a gradual shift in the underlying distributed computing technologies that support e-science applications of the future. While cloud computing and desktop grid computing will gain in prominence, the growth of traditional cluster-based grid computing may remain dormant.