The application of grid computing has been hampered by three basic challenges:
scalability, interoperability and efficient access control which need to be optimized before a full-scale
adoption of grid computing can take place. To address these challenges, a novel architectural model
was designed for a multi-domain grid based environment (built on three domains). It was modelled
using the dynamic role-based access control. The architecture’s framework assumes that each domain
has an independent local security monitoring unit and a central security monitoring unit that monitors
security for the entire grid. The architecture was evaluated using the Grid Security Services
Simulator, a meta-query language and Java Runtime Environment 1.7.0.5 for implementing the
workflows that define the model’s task. In terms of scalability, the results show that as the number of
grid nodes increases, the average turnaround time reduces, and thereby increases the number of
service requesters (grid users) on the grid. Grid middleware integration across various domains as
well as the appropriate handling of authentication and authorisation through a local security
monitoring unit and a central security monitoring unit proved that the architecture is interoperable.
Finally, a case study scenario used for access control across the domains shows the efficiency of the
role based access control approach used for achieving appropriate access to resources. Based on the
results obtained, the proposed framework has proved to be interoperable, scalable and efficiently
suitable for enforcing access control within the parameters evaluated.Department of HE and Training approved lis
