Differences Between Cloud Computing vs Grid Computing
In the constantly changing industry, we have many changing processes, technologies and terminologies. You need to be constantly updated since many processes are too similar to be distinct but they are distinct in their own way. One such topic of confusion is cloud computing and grid computing. Mainly, both Cloud Computing and Grid Computing are used to process tasks. However, grid computing is used in cloud computing but it is not a cloud or part of it. They both involve massive computer infrastructures and managing them. Both Cloud Computing and Grid Computing concepts have been developed for the purpose of distributed computing, that is, computing an element over a large area, literally on computers that are separated by some or the other means.
Let us have a look at the differences and help you understand how Cloud Computing vs Grid Computing is different.
Head to Head Comparison Between Cloud Computing vs Grid Computing (Infographics)
Below is the Top 5 Comparison Between the Cloud Computing vs Grid Computing
Key Differences Between Cloud Computing vs Grid Computing
Though both Cloud Computing vs Grid Computing technologies is used for processing data, they have some significant differences which are as follows:
- Cloud computing is delivering computing services like servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics and more over the internet. Companies providing this service are cloud providers and charge you according to your usage. Grid computing, on the other hand, is distributed computing. There are different computers on the same network which share same resources. Every resource is shared on a computer making it a supercomputer. Processing power, memory and data storage needs to be done by authorized users and cloud computing leverages for specific tasks.
- Cloud computing has different types of services like IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. These are Infrastructure, Platform, and Software. By these services, the cloud provides servers and virtual machines (VMs), on-demand environments for development, testing, delivering and managing software applications and providing software applications over the Internet, on demand and typically on a subscription basis. It also has different deployments like a public, private and hybrid. These help in deploying resources publicly, privately or both. Grid computing, on the other hand, has distributed computing and distributed pervasive systems. A distributed computing architecture consists of a number of client machines with very lightweight software agents installed with one or more dedicated distributed computing management servers. Pervasive computing uses embedded microprocessors in a day to day objects and allows them to communicate information. It helps to choose any device like kitchen appliances or any chip which could be embedded.
- When cloud computing comes into picture only single ownership is used. Whereas a grid has many systems in a network and hence multiple people can have ownership. Virtualization helps in providing cloud better security.
- Grid computing is more economical. It splits the work and distributes it over the network on computers increasing the efficiency as well. Cloud computing is costlier and requires initial setup. But it is faster and has quicker data restoration.
Cloud Computing vs Grid Computing Comparisons Table
Following are the lists of points that show the Comparisons Between Cloud Computing vs Grid Computing
| Basis for comparison | Cloud Computing | Grid Computing |
| Definition and basic difference | Cloud computing are supposed to be the use of remote servers that are usually hosted on the internet to store or manage data. This data can be from any computer or server. Cloud helps a user to guarantee on-demand access to data on cloud anytime.
Cloud computing is used to define a new class of computing based on network technology. It has integrated and networked hardware and software. |
Grid computing is a distributed architecture where many computers are connected to resolve any given problem. When grid computing is used, all servers or personal computers are linked over a common network using WAN and independent tasks are assigned to each system. All these systems can communicate with each other directly or by using some scheduling systems. It is similar to a cluster but each node present on the grid has its own manager. These resources are centrally managed by a single system.
Grid computing incorporates systems in different locations through WAN |
| Types | After its evolution, cloud computing deployments has been segregated into: Popular Course in this category
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Grid computing has also following types:
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| Goals | Cloud computing mainly focuses on reducing costs and increase returns. It also has a goal of increasing scalability along with increased availability and reliability. | Grid computing focuses on networks and hence has a large-scale goal. It focuses on resource sharing, pervasive, uniform, and reliable access to data, storage capacity and computation power. It also focuses on delivering a computer as a utility. |
| Pros | Cloud computing has many advantages. To list a few as below:
1) Cloud can store large amounts of data along with storing it safely. Data stored in cloud is highly secure and can be accessed whenever needed. 2) Cloud is easily accessible from any part of the world. You just need to have internet connectivity 3) Cloud runs on latest network and all data centers being secure ensure that it provides best performance. 4) It is cost efficient and has fast backup and data restoration. Also it has automatic software updates. |
Grid computing also has its advantages as below:
1) Grid computing is useful in dealing with idle energy in computers. It is more efficient to put it into more sensible use. 2) It helps to save money when huge projects are involved. Grid computing helps in distributing and splitting up the work into multiple computers. 3)Whenever failure occurs it would not stop the work as other computer will pick up the work, making this system more reliable. 4) Space is saved and access to additional resources is made possible. |
| User Management | A centralized system managing the entire cloud can work with this setup or it can be delegated to any third party. | The management is decentralized and it also has a virtual organization based management. |
Conclusion – Cloud Computing vs Grid Computing
Server computers are still needed to distribute the pieces of data and collect the results from participating clients on a grid. Cloud offers more services than grid computing. In fact, almost all the services on the Internet can be obtained from a cloud, eg web hosting, multiple Operating systems, DB support and much more. Grids are considered to be more loosely coupled, they are different yet can be accessed from different geographies when compared to usual cluster systems.
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