SiGNET: tehnologija grid v Sloveniji

SiGNET: Grid Technology in Slovenia

Jan Jona Javoršek, Institut „Jožef Stefan“

Povzetek
Sodobni računski gridi so mreže računskih gruč, ki v okviru mednarodnih kooperacij uporabnikom omogočajo dostop do računskih in podatkovnih kapacitet, ki so za velikostni red večje kot doslej. Le-to omogoča uporabo novih orodij in novih raziskovalnih pristopov ter sodelovanje v velikih mednarodnih projektih, kjer so raziskovalne skupine in centri združeni v virtualne organizacije, ki imajo dostop do skupnih sredstev. Omrežja grid sestavljajo računske gruče sodelujočih ustanov, ki imajo lastno programsko opremo za računske procese in hrambo podatkov. Povezuje jih vmesniška programska oprema grid (grid middleware), s pomočjo katere postanejo vsa sredstva virtualne organizacije dostopna vsem uporabnikom organizacije. Vmesniki so običajno neposredno integrirani v orodja uporabnikov. Sledi vrsta primerov in kratek tehnični oris. V EU so z vrsto projektov razvili rešitve, kakršni sta infrastruktura EGEE (Enabling Grid for E-sciencE) in NorduGrid, na področju gridov pa je tudi vrsta velikih nacionalnih projektov (GridPP v VB, Unicore v Nemčiji). V teku je vzpostavitev novega organizacijskega koncepta na osnovi Evropske iniciative za grid (EGI), ki bo koordinirala nacionalne iniciative. V Sloveniji je največji projekt grid gruča SiGNET (Slovenian Grid Network) na Odseku za fiziko visokih energij, Institut »Jožef Stefan«, ki ima 200 procesorskih jeder in 180 Tb diskovne kapacitete in deluje v okviru EGEE in NorduGrida deluje v produkcijskem okolju. Slovensko nacionalno infrastrukturo za grid vzpostavljata IJS in ARNES. Grid je pripravljen, uporabniki morajo le še odkriti nove možnosti.

Abstract
Modern computing grids are networks of computing clusters enabling users to use unprecedented computing and storage power in the context of international cooperation. Grid technology enables access to new, powerful tools and new research paradigms with seamless international collaboration where research centres and groups join together in virtual organizations to share resources. Grid networks are composed of computing clusters at research centres with independent process scheduling and data storage systems. These clusters are interconnected using grid-enabling middleware with advanced capabilities, making all the resources of a virtual organization available to its users. Usually, the facilities are then integrated directly in the tools used by the users. A number of examples are provided and a short technical description is given. In the EU, a number of projects resulted in solutions such as the EGEE (Enabling Grid for E-sciencE) infrastructure, NorduGrid and large national projects (i.e. GridPP in UK, Unicore in Germany). A new organization based on the concept of a European Grid Initiative which will coordinate national grid initiatives is being put in place. In Slovenia, the largest grid-related project is SiGNET (Slovenian Grid Network) at the High Energy Physics Department of IJS with a 200 core cluster with 180 Tb of storage in full production, taking part both in EGEE and in NorduGrid. The Slovenian NGI is being put in place by IJS and ARNES. Final point: grid resources are ready to be used now; it is up to the users to discover their power.