Grid Computing and the others

Cloud Computing is a product of many technologies. Some older technologies are part of the contemporary concept of cloud computing, some tried, usually without notable success, similar approach as cloud computing.

Autonomous computing

The term autonomous computing has been created by IBM in 2001. It’s a computing technology that is, to some extent, capable of self-management. Autonomous computing should simplify hardware management. Nowadays complex hardware structures are very difficult to manage, update and eventually repair in case of a fault.

Grid Computing

Grid computing is a form of parallel and distributed computing system where small parts are loosely united into one virtual computer. This virtual computer is usually dedicated to a single task. Grid computing is needed everywhere where the power of a supercomputer is needed but supercomputer is too expensive or unavailable. Grid computing is extensively used in scientific tasks.

Client-Server

WWW protocol uses client to server technology. There is always a provider (server) who provides data for the client. There is no communication on the same level (peer to peer). If there are two “servers” communicating, there is always one providing data (server) and the other is a client of the first one.

Mainframe

Mainframe aka Supercomputer. Mainframe is a computer consisting of a number of CPUs. Usually mainframe contains thousands to millions of CPU cores. Mainframe advantage over grid computing is that mainframe provides the same computing power all the time while computing power of a virtual supercomputer based on grid computing technology depends on the number of currently connected clients.

Utility computing

Utility computing provides computing in the same way as utilities are provided. It is very similar to cloud computing.

Peer-to-peer

This technology is the very opposite of client-server technology. The communication in P2P is always on the same level. Some P2P networks combine P2P with client to server communication. Peer-to-peer networks are infamous for being computer pirate networks. Lots of copyrighted material is being transferred over P2P networks like eDonkey, torrent etc.