Cloud Computing vs Grid Computing

Cloud and Grid Computing are the concepts which include massive computer networks, and hence the investments are pretty high too. They definitely aren’t much similar to each other. The following information would help in understanding the exact difference between the two types of computing technologies.

An Introduction

Cloud as well as grid computing are newer concepts as compared to the other computing solutions. Few newbie webmasters misunderstand them to be synonyms of each other.

There are differences in the processing capabilities and functionality between the two. They also have a difference in their networks and the way they process the tasks. The concepts encapsulates the actual complex processes that is undertaken by the system and presents a user with a simplified interface. Hence simplifying the interaction between the users and the system. The basic intention behind this is to making the system user-friendly but without disturbing the functionality of the overall processes.

The fundamental concepts of Cloud and Grid computing are varied. Still it is possible to have a cloud cluster within a computational grid and vice-versa.

Benefits of Distributed Computing

Though the name itself gives an idea about what it would mean. The Distributed computing involves the computing elements of a network that are set-up across wide areas. This concept is followed by both cloud and grid computing.

The primary benefit of such an environment is the capability of tapping into multiple areas of expertise with use of just a single resource. In the environment of Cloud Computing, users get a single interface for multiple servers.

There are different sets of requirements such as the storage, security and maintenance that are required for carrying out the computing activities.

Various enterprises adopt different architectures for Distributed computing. But here in this article we are primarily focusing on the Grid and Cloud Computing.

Cloud Computing

Cloud is basically an extension to the object oriented programming concept of abstraction. It eliminates the complex working details from being visible to the users. What users can view is just an interface, which only involves receiving the inputs and providing the outputs. The process involved in generating the outputs is completely invisible.

The cloud works on the concept of abstraction in a physical computing environment, which is done by simply hiding the actual processes from the users. In the cloud hosting environment, the data is placed over multiple servers in the cluster, though the credentials of the network connections are entirely hidden and the users cannot access anyone else’s data.

The Cloud environment includes derivatives from the Unix paradigm of having multiple elements, where every element is exceptional at any individual task, instead of having a single huge element that takes care of all the tasks.

Grid Computing

A Grid is basically the one that uses the processing capabilities of different computing units for processing a single task. This task though is managed by a single primary computing machine. What this machine does is, it divides the task into numerous tasks and gets processed from difference computing machines in the cluster. As soon as these tasks are completed by the machines, they send the result back to the primary machine which takes care of controlling all the tasks. All the results are clubbed together and a single output is provided.

Grid computing offers two prime benefits ie. first of all it uses the free processing power effectively and secondly, the time required for processing the tasks is significantly reduced.

Cloud Computing versus Grid Computing

For some, the comparison between these two types of computing could be hard to understand since they aren’t much exclusive to each other. Rather, they are used for enhancing the utilization of the available resources. Furthermore, they both use the concept of abstraction at an extensive scale, each having distinct elements which interact with each other.

The only differentiating factor between the two is the method it adopts for computing the tasks within their individual environments. In grid computing, a single big task is split into multiple smaller tasks which are further distributed to different computing machines. Upon completion of these smaller tasks, they are sent back to the primary machine which in return offers a single output.

Whereas a cloud computing architecture is intended to enable users to use difference services without the need for investment in the underlying architecture. Though, grid too offers similar facility for computing power, but cloud computing isn’t restricted to just that. With a cloud users can avail various services such as website hosting etc.