Sun wants users to see grid technology as a business tool
Staff -- Manufacturing Business Technology, 3/1/2005 7:00:00 AM
Announcements related to grid computing typically highlight fast transaction speeds and high system utilization rates. While those things may ultimately lead to lower operating costs, it's hard for the average executive to make the connection. That's why Sun Microsystems, one of a handful of technology vendors at the forefront of the grid movement, is talking up the real business value associated with grid computing.
Grid computing involves connecting a number of computers to share the work involved in completing a specific set of tasks. When one computer on a grid is working at full capacity, it passes work to another computer that is not using its maximum processing power. Until recently, vendors like Sun, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard attempted to sell this concept by telling users it would preclude the need to upgrade hardware so often. But that approach never jump-started the movement, thus Sun's new approach.
"We are looking at developing grid solutions that appeal to companies in vertical markets," says Bjorn Andersson, director of Sun's grid marketing group. "Manufacturers can use grid technology to improve product quality. With more computing power, they can do better product testing before completing a physical prototype."
Motorola, Schaumburg, Ill., is one Sun customer that found this to be true. "The risk of poor quality has been reduced because we can do more regression tests in the same amount of time," says Steve Stevens, a manager in Motorola's Engineering and Wireless Services group.
Sun's grid offering consists of two components: a grid engine and a set of grid agents. The grid engine sits on a network server and determines which computers will perform specific tasks. The agents—which are loaded on the individual computers—take instructions for performing work from the engine. Sun is using its grid technology to support a new remote computing service in which it will sell users computer time at the rate of $1 per hour for each microprocessor and $1 per month for each gigabyte of data stored.
"The neatest thing about grids is you can program them to follow business rules," says Dan Olds, a principal with Gabriel Consulting, Beaverton, Ore. "In any business, some applications are more important than others. A grid engine can be programmed to recognize that and give certain programs—such as those that bring in money—priority over others."
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