Non-cooperative, semi-cooperative, and cooperative games-based grid resource allocation

In this paper we consider, compare and analyze three game theoretical grid resource allocation mechanisms. Namely, 1) the non-cooperative sealed-bid method where tasks are auctioned off to the highest bidder, 2) the semi-cooperative n-round sealed-bid method in which each site delegate its work to others if it cannot perform the work itself, and 3) the cooperative method in which all of the sites deliberate with one another to execute all the tasks as efficiently as possible. To experimentally evaluate the above mentioned techniques, we perform extensive simulation studies that effectively encapsulate the task and machine heterogeneity. The tasks are assumed to be independent and bear multiple execution time deadlines. The simulation model is built around a hierarchical grid infrastructure where machines are abstracted into larger computing centers labeled "federations", each of which are responsible for managing their own resources independently. These federations are then linked together with a primary portal to which grid tasks would be submitted. To measure the effectiveness of these game theoretical techniques, the recorded performance is evaluated against a conventional baseline method in which tasks are randomly assigned to the sites without any task execution guarantee.