Computational Grid

Last Updated: August 18, 2011

Definition - What does Computational Grid mean?

A computational grid is a loose network of computers linked to perform grid computing. In a computational grid, a large computational task is divided up among individual machines, which run calculations in parallel and then return results to the original computer. These individual machines are nodes in a network, which may span multiple administrative domains and may be geographically distant. Each of the nodes may be thought of as a discrete system that can perform work and has access to a network. Computational grids are often more cost-effective than supercomputers of equal computing power.

Free White Paper: "AI and ML in the Oil and Gas Industry". Take a look at 10 real-world use cases that demonstrate how AI and ML are already being used in the oil and gas industry, and how AI innovation can help renew the industry.

Techopedia explains Computational Grid

Computational grids are sometimes mischaracterized as useful only for calculation/computational tasks, but in fact they are able to handle many research projects that require a lot CPU time, a lot of memory or the ability to communicate in real time. In some of these cases, supercomputers do not have the capacity to solve these needs. A computational grid offers a convenient way to use many devices in combination.

A computational grid shares some properties with the cloud in cloud computing.