Difference between Grid Computing and Cloud Computing

Grid computing and cloud computing are conceptually similar that can be easily
confused. The concepts are quite similar and both share the same vision of providing
services to the users through sharing resources among a large pool of users.

Both are based on network technology and are capable of multitasking meaning users
can access a single or multiple application instances to perform different tasks.

While grid computing involves virtualizing computing resources to store massive

amounts of data, whereas cloud computing is where an application doesn’t access
resources directly, rather it accesses them through a service over the internet.

In grid computing, resources are distributed over grids, whereas in cloud computing,
resources are managed centrally. Let’s take a brief look at the two computing
technologies.

What is Grid Computing?

Grid computing is a network based computational model that has the ability to process
large volumes of data with the help of a group of networked computers that coordinate to
solve a problem together.

Basically, it’s a vast network of interconnected computers working towards a common

problem by dividing it into several small units called grids. It’s based on a distributed
architecture which means tasks are managed and scheduled in a distributed way with no
time dependency.

The group of computers acts as a virtual supercomputer to provide scalable and

seamless access to wide-area computing resources which are geographically distributed
and present them as a single, unified resource to perform large-scale applications such
as analyzing huge sets of data.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is a type of internet-based computing where an application doesn’t
access the resources directly, rather it makes a huge resource pool through shared
resources. It is modern computing paradigm based on network technology that is
specially designed for remotely provisioning scalable and measured IT resources.
It allows on-demand access to a shared pool of dynamically configured computing
resources and higher-level services thereby eliminating the need of massive investments
in local infrastructure. The computing resources are managed centrally which are located
over multiple servers in clusters. Users can access software and applications from
wherever they need without worrying about storing their own data. It simply breaks down
to “pay only for what you need”.
 Difference between Grid Computing and Cloud Computing

1. Technology involved in Grid Computing and Cloud Computing

– Grid computing is form of computing which follows a distributed architecture which
means a single task is broken down into several smaller tasks through a distributed
system involving multiple computer networks. Cloud computing, on the other hand, is a
whole new class of computing based on network technology where every user of the
cloud has its own private resource that is provided by the specific service provider.

2. Terminology of Grid Computing and Cloud Computing

– Both are network based computing technologies that share similar characteristics such
as resource pooling, however, they are very different from each other in terms of
architecture, business model, interoperability, etc. Grid computing is a collection of
computer resources from multiple locations to process a single task. The grid acts as a
distributed system for collaborative sharing of resources. Cloud computing, on the other
hand, is a form of computing based on virtualized resources which are located over
multiple locations in clusters.
 3. Computing Resources in Grid Computing and Cloud Computing
– Grid computing is based on a distributed system which means computing resources
are distributed among different computing units which are located across different sites,
countries, and continents. In cloud computing, computing resources are managed
centrally which are located over multiple servers in clusters in cloud providers’ private
data centers.

4. Research Community
– In grid computing, computing resources are provided as a utility with grids as a
computing platform that are distributed geographically and are grouped in virtual
organization with multiple user communities to solve large-scale problems over the
internet. Grid involves more resources than just computers and networks. Cloud
computing, on the other hand, involves a common group of system administrators that
manage the entire domain.

5. Function of Grid Computing and Cloud Computing

– The main function of grid computing is job scheduling using all kinds of computing
resources where a task is divided into several independent sub-tasks and each machine
on a grid is assigned with a task. After all the sub-tasks are completed they are sent back
to the main machine which handles and processes all the tasks. Cloud computing
involves resource pooling through grouping resources on an as-needed basis from
clusters of servers.

6. Application of Grid Computing and Cloud Computing

– The term “cloud” refers to the internet in cloud computing and as a whole it means
internet-based computing. The cloud manages data, security requirements, job queues,
etc. by eliminating the needs and complexity of buying hardware and software needed to
build applications which are to be delivered as a service over the cloud. Grid computing
is mostly used by academic research and is able to handle large sets of limited duration
jobs that involve huge volumes of data.

Grid Computing vs. Cloud Computing: Comparison Chart

 Summary of Grid Computing Vs Cloud Computing
Both grid computing and cloud computing are network-based computing technologies
that involve resource pooling, but cloud computing eliminates the complexity of buying
hardware and software for building applications by allocating resources that are placed
over multiple servers in clusters.
Grid computing, on the contrary, is a computing technology that combines computing
resources from various domains to reach a common goal.
The computers on the network work on a task together and every computer can access
the resources of every other computer within the network.
In simple terms, grid computing is a group of interconnected computers that work
together to handle huge volumes of data.

THE END