What is Grid Computing?

Grid computing is a computing technology that uses multiple computer resources based at multiple locations to perform a common goal. The grid can be compared to a distributed system with non-interactive workloads that involve a large number of files. Grid computing is different from conventional high performance computing systems such as cluster computing. In Grid computing computers have different nodes set to perform a different task or application.

Grid computers tend to be more heterogeneous and geographically dispersed than cluster computers. Although a single grid can be dedicated to a particular application, commonly a grid is used for a variety of purposes. Grids are often constructed with a purpose of grid middleware software libraries.