Policy for Mobile Devices to Access Grid Infrastructure

Abstract

Mobile devices are gradually becoming prevalent in our daily life, enabling users in the physical world to interact with the digital world conveniently. Mobile devices increasingly offer functionality beyond the one provided by traditional resources processor, memory and applications. This includes, for example, integrated multimedia equipment, intelligent positioning systems, and different kinds of integrated or accessible sensors. For future generation grids to be truly ubiquitous we must find ways to compensate for the limitations inherent in these devices and integrate them into the grid, in order to leverage available resources and broaden the range of supplied services. On the other hand, most of mobile devices do not have the sufficient capabilities to be either direct clients or services in the grid environment. The existing middleware platforms like Globus do not fully address mobility, yet extending the potential of the Grid to a wider audience promises increase in its flexibility and productivity. This chapter looks into design architecture for mobile computing environment. Focus is given to security and its policies that will enhance the performance of grid computing in terms of secure design, architecture, accessibility, and mobility.