SCIENCE

Researchers, software developers, and cyberinfrastructure providers will convene at GlobusWORLD 2011 to see and experience new technologies at the intersection of grid and cloud computing. GlobusWORLD 2011, to be held April 11-13 at Argonne, near Chicago, will feature Globus user success stories, expanded software-as-a-service capabilities in Globus Online, updates on Globus Toolkit development, and sneak peeks into new features in the pipeline.

The conference will reinforce the dual themes that define Globus: “Use the Grid” and “Build the Grid”. For researchers that want to improve their access to high-performance computing (HPC) resources, the file transfer software-as-a-service (SaaS) provided by Globus Online offers an easy way to start using the grid without requiring installation and configuration of complex, costly IT. For HPC resource owners, and scientific communities that want a grid customized to their particular needs, Globus Toolkit components provide the foundation for building robust, scalable grid solutions.

GlobusWORLD 2011 will showcase:

• New Globus Online features that solve the "last-mile" problem of moving data between GridFTP-enabled resources, such as HPC data centers, and users’ local machines
• Native packaging in the new Globus Toolkit 5.2 release that greatly simplifies installation and configuration on common operating systems
• SaaS-based file transfer capabilities delivered to users of HPC facilities, such as the NERSC and ALCF supercomputer centers
• Creative applications of Globus within distributed research communities, such as the caBIG cancer grid, Biomedical Informatics Research Network (BIRN), Earth System Grid, and the Initiative for Globus in Europe (IGE)
• User success stories about research progress catalyzed by Globus technology
• New and enhanced Globus Toolkit components, including a major update to jGlobus 2.0 that simplifies Globus integration with modern Java applications

Presentations and demonstrations will also introduce, and provide opportunities for feedback on, new Globus features in the pipeline, such as Globus Online support for data sharing.

A day of tutorials after the conference provides an opportunity for hands-on interaction with both Globus Online and Globus Toolkit. The tutorials are designed for users at all levels, and include introductory sessions as well as in-depth discussions of selected topics. This is a unique opportunity for end-users to learn how they can use Globus in their research activities, and for developers to explore how to integrate Globus capabilities into their IT infrastructure.

“This year’s conference promises to be even more engaging than past events, as we see existing Globus Toolkit users, and many researchers that are new to grid and cloud computing, starting to adopt software-as-a-service for their data management needs”, said Ian Foster, director of the Computation Institute, and Globus co-inventor. “We have a highly engaged set of users that are actively helping to shape the future of Globus, and we look forward to continuing these collaborations at GlobusWORLD”.

GlobusWORLD is a conference by users, for users. While the core Globus team has much to communicate, community involvement is what has made the event successful in the past. GlobusWORLD 2011 is co-located with the Cloud Computing and Applications 2011 Conference (CCA-11), providing a forum for attendees at both events to make connections with their peers. Social events and contests throughout the conference will provide more opportunities for fun interaction among Globus users and developers.

Globus technology supports thousands of research projects worldwide in disciplines ranging from high-energy physics and imaging based science, to health informatics and social sciences. Globus development and operations are supported by funding from the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, Argonne, the University of Chicago, and the EU-sponsored Initiative for Globus in Europe.