Teaching Grid Computing in North Carolina: Part I

Grid computing uses geographically distributed computers connected on the Internet for high performance computing and resource sharing. It often involves computers from multiple organizations, crosses organizational boundaries, and enables the creation of distributed teams (so-called "virtual organizations"). Therefore, to teach grid computing properly, we first needed a distributed operational grid of computers for students to access. Our course uniquely combines distance-learning tools with grid computing. Students from many universities enroll and become the virtual organization together with supporting faculty from their home institutions. Integrating with this virtual organization is the physical grid of computers provided at major sites for students