Difference Between Cloud Computing and Grid Computing

Cloud Computing vs Grid Computing

Cloud computing and grid computing are the two different ways through which computing is done. Cloud computing means the services are used on the internet rather than local system. However, grid computing deals with the sharing of tasks over number of computers. Cloud computing can be described as a type of grid computing.

Cloud Computing

In late 2007, the term cloud computing was coined. In cloud computing, the services that are used daily are moved on the internet rather than being stored on a local machine. Email is a small example of cloud computing and it is available in both methods. Services like Yahoo mail and Google mail provide email facility and people do not need Microsoft Outlook or other applications for the purpose of mail. In this way, email service can be used anywhere in the world where there is internet connection.

After 2007, other services like spreadsheets, presentations and word processing entered cloud computing as Google provided presentation, spread sheets and word processing services and integrated them with Google Calendar and Gmail. Microsoft also entered the cloud computing arena and introduced some applications that can be used by internet users. Microsoft has largely focused on cloud computing.

Grid Computing

Sharing of tasks over number of computers is known as Grid computing. The tasks can simply be data storage or it can be complex calculations. The distribution of tasks can be over large distances. The computers in a grid can act as a part of grid while they are not in use. In order to complete projects, the grid search for unutilized cycles on different computers to access them. One of the popular grid computing projects is SETI@home. There are many organizations that rely on different volunteers who offer their computers to be added on the grid.

A virtual supercomputer is created after these computers are joined together. There may be some problem in these networked computers but still they are powerful than the supercomputers used in 70s and 80s. The principles of grid computing provide the way for modern supercomputers with many small computers attached to each other to form a supercomputer.

Different types of grids can be created using the various techniques of grid computing. By using multiple computers, power as well as flexibility is added to the system. For example, a data grid manages large information that can be accessed by the users.

However, grid computing is different from cluster computing. Firstly, there is no centralized management in grid computing as the computers are controlled in an independent manner. The computers in a grid can have different hardware or operating system.