Dear all,

for your information and peruse. Any feedback can be provided directly to tsbtechwatch@itu.int.

Best regards, Simao

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From: owner-tsagtechwatch@itu.int [mailto:owner-tsagtechwatch@itu.int] On Behalf Of Martin.Adolph@itu.int Sent: 07 April 2009 10:59 To: tsagtechwatch, ITU (MLIST) Cc: Levin, Arthur Subject: Technology Watch report - Distributed Computing: Utilities, Grids and Clouds

Dear colleagues,

A new Technology Watch http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/techwatch/ report examines Distributed Computing: Utilities, Grids and Clouds.

A key conclusion is that increased focus on standards for interfaces will enable commoditization of clouds and grids and ensure interoperability.

Expanding communication networks, combined with the growth of affordable broadband in developed countries, has enabled organizations to share their computational resources. What originally started as grid computing, temporarily using remote supercomputers or clusters of mainframes to address scientific problems too large or too complex to be solved on in-house infrastructures, has evolved into service-oriented business models that offer physical and virtual resources on a pay as you go basis - as an alternative to often idle, in-house data centers and stringent license agreements.

The report describes the advent of these new forms of distributed computing, notably grid and cloud computing, the applications that they enable, and their potential impact on future standardization.

Distributed Computing: Utilities, Grids and Clouds is available to download at http://www.itu.int/oth/T2301000009/en.

Please send your comments, topic proposals and inquiries to tsbtechwatch@itu.int.

Best regards,

Martin Adolph

ITU-T Standardization Policy Division

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