Grid Computing: Designing a Distributed NetworkInformation Service for Grids

In recent years grid computing gathered much attention, both by research and industry. As a form of distributed computing it deals with the rising need for computing power. Grid computing enables the user to utilize resources provided by someone else. Basically every kind of resource that can be shared may be part of a grid. Usually at least computing and data resources are considered but storage and especially network resources should not be ignored.Apart from monitoring and managing networks there is also a need for describing the topology of networks in grid environments and providing theses information to interested users. Therefore a network information service for grids is needed. The author Manuel Heß presents how such a service can be implemented by means of his sample implementation NIS4Grids. The book is addressed to everyone who is concerned with grid computing, particularly with the development of a network information service for grids.