Special Features:
DRMAA PROPOSAL FOR GRID COMPUTING
RELEASED AT GGF 7
Sun Microsystems announced the completion of the proposed specification for
the Distributed Resource Management Application API (DRMAA), one of the first
specifications to enable the development and deployment of high performance
grid applications. Providing "write-once" capabilities to any DRM system that
supports DRMAA, the specification makes it possible for new applications --
both enterprise and technical -- to be used in a grid environment, thereby
dramatically expanding the reach of grid computing.
The DRMAA specification, an initiative co-chaired by Sun and Intel, was
developed in collaboration with other industry leaders, including Cadence
Design Systems, HP, IBM, Platform Computing, Robarts Research Institute, and
Veridian Systems. The specification provides for the submission and control of
jobs to one or more DRM systems, enabling application developers to consider
an entire virtualized grid of compute resources -- rather than a single
computer system -- as the target application execution environment. As a
result, new applications can more easily be written to fully leverage the
advantages offered by distributed computing.
"With the Distributed Resource Management Application API specification,
we're
creating the impetus for a fundamental shift in the adoption of grid
computing," said John Tollefsrud, DRMAA working group co-chair and Sun
Microsystems' Grid Marketing Manager. "DRMAA helps achieve three goals: first,
it provides a standard on which ISVs can more efficiently create new
applications to run in distributed environments; second, it makes grid
deployment and management easier for sys-admins; and third, it swings the
doors wide open to more enhanced applications that can deliver richer, more
powerful end-user experiences."
New Spec Benefits DRM Vendors, ISVs, System Integrators, System
Administrators And End Users
Providing a single interface to DRM resources, DRMAA substantially
eliminates
a problem currently facing commercial software developers -- proprietary
interfaces which make it difficult to integrate applications with DRM systems.
End users should also benefit from new powerful applications capable of
putting the power of grid computing at their fingertips.
DRM Suppliers: DRMAA is expected to substantially accelerate the adoption
of
direct interfaces to DRM systems, where adoption of proprietary interfaces has
traditionally been low. Suppliers will also be able to focus on competitive
differentiators for their products, since the new specification is expected to
greatly reduce integration issues for end users.
ISVs: With a "write-once" interface to all DRMAA-compliant DRM systems,
application developers will be able to provide user interfaces to DRM-managed
resources from within the context of the application as well as gain
programmatic access to all the grid-enabled systems.
System Integrators and Administrators: DRMAA is expected to substantially
minimize the complexity associated with developing and maintaining integrated
application environments.
Following review by the Global Grid Forum steering committee and the grid
computing community, Sun plans to create a reference implementation of the
DRMAA specification in the Grid Engine open source project, which can be
accessed via http://gridengine.sunsource.net. As with all of its previous open
source activities, Sun has pledged its contributions will be available on a
royalty-free basis.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The
Computer" -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. to its position as a
leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that
make the Net work.
Web site: sun.com
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