Jini-enabled high performance computing

The vision of computational grids promises an exciting future for high performance computing (HPC). In the project presented we make a small but practical step toward the grand vision of pervasive HPC by using some of the prevailing Internet technologies to enable access of HPC anytime and anywhere. Specifically, the project focuses on HPC that could be accessed by using the World Wide Web. We have conducted experiments based on engineering/scientific applications. Examples include simulations of automated guided vehicles (hereafter AGVs for short) in container port operations, N-body and molecular simulations. We initially build systems based on an ad-hoc approach, whose merits and demerits are identified. Then, we employ Jini technology to reconstruct the system architecture and present a more efficient and robust model. Performance studies are also presented. The objectives are to explore and address relevant issues, evaluate various approaches, demonstrate a workable version and conduct experiments with actual Web-enabled applications. The result is that now we are able to partially realize the dream of using the HPCs anytime and anywhere through devices such as a wireless/mobile computer, as long as they are armed with a common Web browser.