Ad Hoc Metacomputing with Compeer

Abstract

Metacomputing allows the exploitation of geographically seperate, heterogenous networks and resources. Most metacomputers are feature rich and carry a long, complicated installation, requiring knowledge of accounting procedures, access control lists and user management, all of which differ from system to system. Metacomputers can have high administrative overhead, and a steep learning curve which restricts their utility to organisations which can afford these costs. This paper describes the Compeer system, which attempts to make metacomputing more accessible by employing an implicitly parallel computing model, support for programming this model with a Java-like language and the construction of a dynamic ad hoc metacomputer that can be temporarily instantiated for the purpose of executing applications.