Comparison of grid computing vs cloud computing can help you to identify the differences and similarities between these new concepts in the computing field.
Though they are often mistaken to mean the same thing, both grid and cloud computing networks hide the processing tasks. Abstraction hides the actual complex processes that take place within a computer system and presents the user with a rather simplified interface that makes interaction easier.
The main idea of course being to make a more user friendly system while retaining the various benefits of a more complicated process.
Cloud Computing
This concept is an extension of abstraction concept associated with object-oriented programming. Abstraction removes the visibility of some complex working details. Only the interface that receives inputs and produces output is made visible. The computation of such outputs is completely hidden. Cloud computing concept is heavily derived from UNIX paradigm, in which many elements, with each being excellent in a given task, are used. This is much better than using one massive element.
Grid Computing
Grid computing concept harnesses the processing powers of different computing units and uses such powers in the computation of a single job. The job is under the control of a single main computer and is separated into many tasks, which can be executed simultaneously on different machines. The tasks do not have to be mutually exclusive though that is the ideal scene. As the tasks get completed on the various computing units, the results are relayed back to the computational unit that was under control, which then combines the results to form some cohesive output.
Grid computing vs cloud computing:
Business Model
Grid computing infrastructures can be accessed by many heterogeneous, multiple organizations and project teams which share some common goals and want to access any virtual supercomputer so as to work on one task or some single task set. The project sponsors or users must, however, bear the set up and maintenance cost of the grid, which is relatively enormous.
On the other hand, any customer who accesses the cloud computing service or infrastructure has to pay the cloud provider according to the pay-per-use basis. This model focuses on optimizing use in a manner that the costing remains sensible to the customer while generating some profit to the cloud service provider.
Computing model
Grid computing does not have any universal standards with regard to software and system configuration. Some of the software and most codes and algorithms need restructuring so as to enjoy the parallel processing benefits associated with the grid computing concept.
Cloud computing has more of the commercial focus and so, is more flexible in comparison with the grid model. The expansion of any business that requires more resources is, for instance, made easy by just informing your provider to offer you automated and seamless expansion services.
Security
Grid infrastructure consists of diverse platforms and configuration. This raises security concern just from the grid set up stage. Some of the important factors to consider are conversion, credentials, delegation and authorization.
On the contrary, cloud security models have lesser security and are simpler as compared to the grid computing models.
Although grid computing vs cloud computing comparison gives some major differences, both of them are revolutionary.