As network performance has outpaced computational power and storage capacity, a new paradigm has evolved to enable the sharing and coordinated use of geographically distributed resources. Grid computing provides scalable and secure remote access to computing, data, and other resources throughout the Internet.

Much of the focus of the grid to date has been within research organizations, where it is enabling scientists to attack problems of ever-increasing complexity, such as the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI), the screening of AIDS drug candidates, and the analysis of physics data. As the power of grid technologies becomes apparent, however, commercial parties are also increasing their level of participation. That leads to a greater focus on integration with commercial computing models and more work on the security and resource management models required for automated and secure access negotiation for remote resources.

At the seminar we'll try to answer the following questions:

• Internet vs. Grid evolution
• What is needed for establishing the Grid?
• Grid & Virtual Organisations
• What is OGSA (Open Grid Services Architecture)?
• What Grid is & what Grid is not?
• Grid in relationship with some other technologies