Distributed Computation

"distributed computation" = geographically dispersed machines all working to solve a computational problem.

Overview

"The emergence of P2P networks reminded researchers that in addition to instant messaging and file sharing, computation could also be shared. As a result, an increasing number of projects have been formed that are classified under the banner of distributed computing, and more specifically within a subcategory known as distributed computation. We will use the term "distributed computation" throughout this article to refer to distributed computing projects, which specifically involve geographically dispersed machines all working to solve a computational problem.

The past decade as been incredibly fast-paced, and a significant cross-pollination of ideas has occurred. We're currently seeing P2P evolve to include grid-like capabilities and grids evolving to assimilate all things distributed computing." (http://www.smartmobs.com/archive/2006/04/01/tapping_the_mat.html)

Sample Project

"One such project, Folding@Home, set out to use large-scale distributed computing to create a simulation involving the folding of proteins. Proteins, which are described as nature's nanobots, assemble themselves in a process known as folding. When proteins fail to fold correctly, the side effects include diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

The Folding@Home team described their protein simulation in the form of a computational model suitable for distribution. The result is now a tool that allows them to simulate folding using timescales that are thousands to millions of times longer than were previously possible." (http://www.smartmobs.com/archive/2006/04/01/tapping_the_mat.html)

More Information

Tapping the Matrix, a two-part primer, at http://www.openp2p.com/pub/a/p2p/2004/04/16/matrix.html

O'Reilly P2P Directory, directory of projects, at http://www.openp2p.com/pub/q/p2p_category

"The O'Reilly Open Peer-to-Peer Directory and The AspenLeaf DC web site currently list several dozen active projects, ranging from analytical spectroscopy to the Zeta grid, specializing in areas such as art, cryptography, life sciences, mathematics, and game research." (http://www.smartmobs.com/archive/2006/04/01/tapping_the_mat.html)