Grid computing enables the virtualization
of distributed computing and data resources such as processing,
network bandwidth and storage capacity to create a single
system image, granting users and applications seamless access
to IT capabilities. Just as an Internet user views a unified
instance of content via the Web, a grid user essentially sees
a single, large virtual computer. 
Grid computing goes far beyond sheer computing power.
Today's operating environments must be resilient, flexible
and integrated as never before. Organizations around the
world are experiencing substantial benefits by implementing
grids in critical business processes to achieve both business
and technology benefits.
In fact, grid can be seen as the latest and most complete
evolution of more familiar developments ¡ª such as distributed
computing, the Web, peer-to-peer computing and virtualization
technologies.
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Like the Web,
grid computing keeps complexity hidden: multiple users
enjoy a single, unified experience.
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Unlike the Web, which
mainly enables communication, grid computing enables
full collaboration toward common business goals.
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Like peer-to-peer,
grid computing allows users to share files.
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Unlike peer-to-peer, grid computing
allows many-to-many sharing ¡ª not only files but other
resources as well.
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Like clusters and distributed
computing, grids bring computing resources together.
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Unlike clusters and distributed
computing, which need physical proximity and
operating homogeneity, grids can be geographically distributed
and heterogeneous.
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Like virtualization
technologies, grid computing enables the virtualization
of IT resources.
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Unlike virtualization technologies,
which virtualize a single system, grid computing enables
the virtualization of vast and disparate IT resources.
So it is evolution, not revolution.
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