Computational Grid

What Does Computational Grid Mean?

A computational grid is a loose network of computers linked to perform grid computing. In a computational grid, a large computational task is divided up among individual machines, which run calculations in parallel and then return results to the original computer. These individual machines are nodes in a network, which may span multiple administrative domains and may be geographically distant. Each of the nodes may be thought of as a discrete system that can perform work and has access to a network. Computational grids are often more cost-effective than supercomputers of equal computing power.

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Techopedia Explains Computational Grid

Computational grids are sometimes mischaracterized as useful only for calculation/computational tasks, but in fact they are able to handle many research projects that require a lot CPU time, a lot of memory or the ability to communicate in real time. In some of these cases, supercomputers do not have the capacity to solve these needs. A computational grid offers a convenient way to use many devices in combination.

A computational grid shares some properties with the cloud in cloud computing.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…