Grid computing is also called as distributed computing. It links multiple computing resources (PC's, workstations, servers, and storage [1] elements) together and provides a mechanism to access them.

Figure1: Grid computing Vs Cloud Computing

The main advantages of grid computing are that it increases user productivity by providing transparent access to resources, and figure 1 shows above the paragraph work can be completed more quickly.

Cloud Computing is a Client-server computing architecture. In cloud computing, resources are used [2] in centralized pattern and cloud computing is a high accessible service. It is a pay and use business means, in cloud computing, the users pay for the use.

Architecture:

Whereas cloud computing [3] a more client to server and vice versa computer architecture, grid computing follows a more distributed form of architecture to meet the end objective.

Resource:

Since cloud computing doesn’t have many computers involved in the same task, it maintains the resources centrally in contrast to grid computing where the resources are managed based on the collaboration pattern. Moreover, grid computing makes all the data available in the virtual platform but cloud computing restricts the accessibility of resources to a certain application directly.

Functioning:

Grid computing works on the simple principle of dividing and distributing the available resources into small tasks that every computer on the grid has to work with. When the individual tasks are completed and arranged accordingly, the data goes back to the main machine. Cloud computing however works on a need basis. Whenever there is a need for resources, the central system distributes the resources and takes them back when the work is done.

Flexibility:

cloud computing turns out to be more flexible in terms of its applications and efficiency as compared to grid computing because cloud computing provides a wide array of information that many people need but grid computing mostly works out for academic researchers since a vast amount of data can be pooled and handled with utmost precision.

Payment and set up:

This is one of the key differences between the two types of computing. Cloud computing does not require any form of setting up of software whereas, in grid computing, installation of the software component is essential and has to be done locally. Users pay for the resource upon using the cloud in cloud computing but they need not pay any amount once the initial set up is complete in grid computing.

Accessibility:

Cloud computing renders more accessibility in comparison with grid computing but mostly because of the difference in the end-users that use the two kinds of computing.

References:

1. https://www.javatpoint.com/cloud-computing-vs-grid-computing
2. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-cloud-computing-and-grid-computing/
3. https://www.jigsawacademy.com/blogs/cloud-computing/grid-computing-vs-cloud-computing/

Cite this article:

Nandhinidwaraka. S (2021), Difference Between Grid Computing Vs Cloud Computing, AnaTechmaz, pp. 37