Teaching the Grid: Learning Distributed Computing with the M-grid Framework

A classic challenge within Computer Science is to distribute data and processes so as to take advantage of multiple computers tackling a single problem in a simultaneous and coordinated way. This situation arises in a number of different scenarios, including Grid computing which is a secure, service-based architecture for tackling massively parallel problems and creating virtual organizations. Although the Grid seems destined to be an important part of the future computing landscape, it is very difficult to learn how to use as real Grid software requires extensive setting up and complex security processes. M-grid mimics the core features of the Grid, in a much simpler way, enabling the rapid prototyping of distributed applications. We describe m-grid and explore how it may be used to teach foundation Grid computing skills at the Higher Education level and report some of our experiences of deploying it as an exercise within a programming course

Optimization of Resource Usage for Computer-Based Education through Mobile, Speech and Sky Computing Technology

Cloud computing encompasses any subscription-based or pay-per-use service over the Internet. Using a cloud that is owned by a single service provider has its demerit to the customer such as the risk of downtime or breakdown of equipment arising from disaster that can jeopardize the subscribers’ business. Data security and reliability due to over centralization of company’s data poses a high risk for subscribers, hence a call for distributed cloud also known as Sky Computing. When application is distributed across several clouds with varied interest, infrastructure, policy, etc, the issue therefore will be how to determine the most cost effective cloud during access time. The amount of money a student pays in accessing learning content is determined by how much an institution pay as subscription to cloud providers. The objective of this study is to utilize optimization theory to determine the most cost effective cloud for mobile virtual education in Sky Computing environment. This will be achieved by optimizing resource usage for Computer-based Education through Mobile, Speech and Sky Computing Technology. As a proof of concept, we will design and implement a cloud middle ware (CMW) to interface with an eEducation system. Access to the eEducation shall be Mobile, Speech and Web. Through the communication platform, the students can communicate with their teacher at any convenient time, and vice versa at the most reduced cost

Optimization of Resource Usage for Computer-Based Education through Mobile, Speech and Sky Computing Technology

Cloud computing encompasses any subscription-based or pay-per-use service over the Internet. Using a cloud that is owned by a single service provider has its demerit to the customer such as the risk of downtime or breakdown of equipment arising from disaster that can jeopardize the subscribers’ business. Data security and reliability due to over centralization of company’s data poses a high risk for subscribers, hence a call for distributed cloud also known as Sky Computing. When application is distributed across several clouds with varied interest, infrastructure, policy, etc, the issue therefore will be how to determine the most cost effective cloud during access time. The amount of money a student pays in accessing learning content is determined by how much an institution pay as subscription to cloud providers. The objective of this study is to utilize optimization theory to determine the most cost effective cloud for mobile virtual education in Sky Computing environment. This will be achieved by optimizing resource usage for Computer-based Education through Mobile, Speech and Sky Computing Technology. As a proof of concept, we will design and implement a cloud middle ware (CMW) to interface with an eEducation system. Access to the eEducation shall be Mobile, Speech and Web. Through the communication platform, the students can communicate with their teacher at any convenient time, and vice versa at the most reduced cost

Advanced security infrastructures for grid education

This paper describes the research conducted into advanced authorization infrastructures at the National e-Science Centre (NeSC) at the University of Glasgow and their application to support a teaching environment as part of the Dynamic Virtual Organisations in e-Science Education (DyVOSE) project. We outline the lessons learnt in teaching Grid computing and rolling out the associated security authorisation infrastructures, and describe our plans for a future, extended security infrastructure for dynamic establishment of inter-institutional virtual organisations (VO) in the education domain

Advanced security infrastructures for grid education

This paper describes the research conducted into advanced authorization infrastructures at the National e-Science Centre (NeSC) at the University of Glasgow and their application to support a teaching environment as part of the Dynamic Virtual Organisations in e-Science Education (DyVOSE) project. We outline the lessons learnt in teaching Grid computing and rolling out the associated security authorisation infrastructures, and describe our plans for a future, extended security infrastructure for dynamic establishment of inter-institutional virtual organisations (VO) in the education domain

Advanced Security Infrastructures for Grid Education

This paper describes the research conducted into advanced authorization infrastructures at the National e-Science Centre (NeSC) at the University of Glasgow and their application to support a teaching environment as part of the Dynamic Virtual Organisations in e-Science Education (DyVOSE) project. We outline the lessons learnt in teaching Grid computing and rolling out the associated security authorisation infrastructures, and describe our plans for a future, extended security infrastructure for dynamic establishment of inter-institutional virtual organisations (VO) in the education domain

Experiences in teaching grid computing to advanced level students

The development of teaching materials for future software engineers is critical to the long term success of the grid. At present however there is considerable turmoil in the grid community both within the standards and the technology base underpinning these standards. In this context, it is especially challenging to develop teaching materials that have some sort of lifetime beyond the next wave of grid middleware and standards. In addition, the current way in which grid security is supported and delivered has two key problems. Firstly in the case of the UK e-Science community, scalability issues arise from a central certificate authority. Secondly, the current security mechanisms used by the grid community are not line grained enough. In this paper we outline how these issues are being addressed through the development of a grid computing module supported by an advanced authorisation infrastructure at the University of Glasgow