[sldev] [SVC] What is a Grid? (Searching for a hard definition)

[Kent Quirk (Q Linden)]

And whether or not SL strictly fits some external definition of "grid  
computing", we use the term Grid within Second Life, which is what the  
OP was asking for.

In that context, the Second Life grid is the integrated system that  
provides a networked collection of servers, some of which are  
simulators that implement our presentation of land. Those are arranged  
in the form of a rectangular mesh (but yes, it would be possible to  
have a "grid" with only one simulator in it). In addition, the SL grid  
provides a set of other services, including presence, inventory  
management, and asset store, that integrate with but are independent  
of the simulators.

	Q



On Feb 5, 2009, at 11:55 AM, Escort DeFarge wrote:

> I strongly support LL's decision to favor REST over WSDL (for many,  
> many reasons).
>
> For sure, OGSA is definitely only one type of grid, but otoh that  
> does not make SL a "grid computing environment".
>
> Wikipedia's Grid Computing entry has loosened considerably over the  
> last 3-4 years. To my mind/taste, when defining "grid computing",  
> the tighter and clearer definition stated in the short paper "What  
> is the Grid" (http://www-fp.mcs.anl.gov/~foster/Articles/WhatIsTheGrid.pdf 
> ) remains a much more helpful and accurate definition. Of the three  
> checkpoints in that definition only (3) probably counts for SL's  
> current grid architecture, since the LL grid has resources under  
> central control (1), and is not open (2). (Though I note that the  
> AWG is definitely moving SL closer to this definition).
>
> For most, I sure this is all an exercise in hair-splitting, but I  
> find it hard to state that SL is a grid computing environment (as  
> yet) but rather I would say that it is an highly distributed system  
> that includes a grid.
>
> /esc
>
>
> Meadhbh Hamrick (Infinity) wrote:
>> right. i think we're less in the WSDL camp and more in the REST  
>> camp, so we might say that OGSA is a _type_ of a grid, but that we  
>> adhere more to something like what's defined in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grid_computing 
>>  with REST semantics layered on top of our services.
>>
>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 9:12 PM, Escort DeFarge wrote:
>>
>>> For an accurate definition -- start here...
>>>
>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Grid_Services_Architecture
>>>
>>> ...the SL architecture doesn't actually conform to a strict  
>>> definition of "grid computing" as you'll soon see. However, the SL  
>>> grid does have one big thing going for it -- it works (mostly).
>>>
>>> /esc
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Policies and (un)subscribe information available here:
>>> http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/SLDev
>>> Please read the policies before posting to keep unmoderated  
>>> posting privileges
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Policies and (un)subscribe information available here:
> http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/SLDev
> Please read the policies before posting to keep unmoderated posting  
> privileges