Integrated infrastructure, tools and methods for volunteer and scientific grid computing

Background
There are two main types of Grids: service grids (like EGEE) and desktop grids (like BOINC or XtremeWeb based). These two main types of Grid infrastructures were not interoperable until recently. The bi-directional bridge connecting these two types of Grids was developed in the framework of European EDGeS (www.edges-grid.eu) project. The EDGeS project resulted in a production-level distributed computing infrastructure of more than 100.000 computers from several volunteer and campus-based Desktop Grids interconnected with existing Service Grids, including the largest European Grid, the EGEE infrastructure.

The DEGISCO project relies on the achievements of the EDGeS project. Its main goal is the further extension of the EDGeS distributed computing infrastructure towards new partners in a strong collaboration with scientists and students from the Russian Federation, and other countries.

During the training, the attendees will get information and hands-on exercises on the desktop grid technologies, Generic Grid-to-Grid Bridge technology providing interoperability between service and desktop grids, application development methodology, available tools and applications.

Content
Part 1 explains the characteristics of Desktop Grid systems and their interconnection possibilities with EGEE Virtual Organisations (VO). Special emphasis will be given to the security mechanisms applied in EGEE and in Desktop Grid systems, and how they can be harmonized. This part also describes the operational characteristics of the already existing EDGeS that connect an EGEE VO and several Desktop Grid systems.

Part 2 shows the methodology, various methods and tools by which existing Grid applications can be ported to the integrated infrastructure, including the EDGeS Application Development Methodology (EADM), and the P-GRADE Grid portal with workflow and parameter-sweep functionalities. Case studies of tools that make the application development easier and examples for applications that have been ported to EDGeS using the EADM will be presented.

Target Audience
Users, application developers, and operators of EGEE and other service Grids who want to extend their computation facilities with low-cost desktop grid resources and port/use existing applications to the extended infrastructure. The tutorial will also be useful for everybody interested in desktop and grid application development and interoperability among these two types of grid systems.