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U.K. Works on National Grid Initiative

November 24, 2003 U.K. Works on National Grid Initiative Though unassuming from the outside, the new National E-Science Centre in Edinburgh houses some of the most innovative and advanced technologies in the country. The U.K. seeks to implement a national grid of computing power and the centre takes control of a public and private sector plan to do so. The computing power would be used by academic and research industries in efforts to improve everything from global weather predictions to car engine safety. Moving beyond the power of the internet, Grid computing harnesses the computing capacity of thousands of PCs to create a supernetwork at a relatively small price. The U.K. hopes to implement a national, or international, grid to power their supercomputer applications. Ordinary desktop PCs can be linked together to pool their energy in the same way power stations contribute to a single network. Advocates stress the economic advantage of Grid computing as well. A single supercomputer could cost upwards of a few million pounds, while a large network of PCs would be but several hundred thousand. Such savings could make Grid computing as easily accessible as water or electricity. Researchers and scientists say that a network of this capacity could tackle any issue in need of powerful processing power. The issue can be divided up and sent over the various pieces of the network so that each PC can handle a specific part of the problem. And because most PCs have extra processing power not being used, the machines can run calculations even while idle. As long as the PC remains connected to the mainframe, it can perform its calculations even while being used. Ideas like this are becoming more and more of a reality. The SETI @ home project, for example, harnesses internet users’ spare processing time to crunch numbers from radio telescopes in hopes of discovering extraterrestrial life. In another project, Oxford University asks internet users for extra computing power to crunch through molecules that could lead to drug treatment for cancer. Also, Intel uses workers’ dormant computers to test their new chip designs. There are, however, advantages to supercomputer use as well. Supercomputers are needed to test the consequences of nuclear explosions and to protect and defend countries. Because grid computing is still relatively new, there are some obstacles standing in the way of its implementation. A single computer could conceivably make a mistake or fail to send back its finished calculations. Researchers are working on extremely complex software that will have to be able to cope with the errors and small failures that could occur with such a large network. The £5.5m from the DTI and £3m from industry will help implement a national grid to benefit both industry and academia. The DAME (Distributed Aircraft Maintenance Environment) project is an academic contingent made up of York, Leeds and Sheffield universities, along with Rolls-Royce, Data Systems & Solutions and Cybula to increase aircraft safety. Funded with £3m from the EPSRC, they will attempt to build a database of engine problems and treatments for quicker diagnosis. The goal of the project is to create a Distributed Diagnostics Grid Test-bed; an Aero-gas turbine Application Demonstrator for aircraft engines; and techniques for distributed data mining and diagnostics. All in all, creators hope to foster an evaluation of grid infrastructure’s effectiveness for such an application. The project arose from Rolls-Royce’s large databases of aircraft information and diagnostics on engine performance. The 1Gb of data produced by the engines must be stored and examined so that there is a quick response that will not delay the plane’s maintenance. The search engine technology, which has been under development for the past 15 years and uses mathematical techniques to identify abnormalities in large volumes of data, has been provided by York University. The White Rose Grid is hosting the system as part of the national grid initiative. Rolls-Royce may use the technology on their own grid-like structures, maybe with their own computer networks, once the project is complete. Though the DAME project is considered one of the most important and commercially advanced grid initiatives underway, other projects are hoped to make further breakthroughs. For instance, one project involves a bus company improving its routing and time-tabling systems. The Geodise (Grid Enabled Optimization and Design) project, an analysis of ships’ motion at sea, and the application of grid techniques for civil engineering sites to manage key data are some other projects currently on the board. But how should businesses be charged for using a commercial grid? The amount of use must be metered, as with electricity, but measuring this power proves extremely difficult when spread across thousands of PCs. Businesses may want to join in the pilot schemes around the country in order to try out some grid initiatives. But once the grid is completed, any business will be eligible to apply for its use. Though the national grid initiative for industry and research is an ambitious endeavor, it is by no means a mere pipe dream. The highest levels of government are supportive of the project, fostering high hopes for the many involved. Even the chancellor put his stamp of approval on projects like the grid initiative, citing the country’s need to stay competitive in the industry. He promised more money for science and desire to partner with industry leaders. Together, he believes a national grid implementation will become a successful reality. 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