Starting from 2003, Microelectronics Center for North Carolina (MCNC), was involved in a multi-million dollar initiative to add a grid computing infrastructure and resources to its existing North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN). One of the challenges in creating this infrastructure was to ensure correct interoperability between various grid systems it used such us Sun Grid Engine (GE) and Globus Toolkit (GT). The former was to be used as a platform for the scheduling and optimal execution of multiple tasks within local networks (Distributed Resource Management, DRM system) whereas the latter was to constitute an interface to access remote resources within the Grid environment from any location. These two standards, however, could not intercommunicate.

MCNC commissioned GridwiseTech to develop a GE-GT integration in order to overcome this obstacle. GridwiseTech delivered a solutio, successfully providing the integration of both standards that are among the most widely used grid systems to date.

This is how Dr. Wolfgang Gentzsch, former MCNC grid computing director, recalled our involvement in the project:

In 2003, at MCNC, we were looking for an experienced company who could help us with the development of the middleware stack for the North Carolina Statewide Grid, and with the Grid training of our North Carolina community. In those early days, it wasn't easy to find the right experts, and we have selected GridwiseTech because of their pioneering work with the Globus Toolkit and several other Grid technologies. During the project, we at MCNC together with our community were very pleased with the well-executed and effective solution in a tight timeframe, with the full-functioning grid testbed, and with the very professional training. This successful collaboration gave rise to other successful follow-on projects afterwards.

Dr. Wolfgang Gentzsch
Managing Director
MCNC Grid Computing and Networking Services
currently Head of the German D-Grid Initiative

About MCNC

MCNC, a non-profit organization, is committed to advancing education, innovation and economic development throughout North Carolina by delivering the next-generation of information technology services. Since 1985, MCNC has operated the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) — one of the nation’s first and recognized today as one of the most advanced statewide networks in the country.

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