The Mini-Grid Framework: Application Programming Support for Ad-Hoc, Peer-to-Peer Volunteer Grids

Biological scientists work with bioinformatics algorithms that are either computational or data intensive in nature. Distributed platforms such as Grids and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks can be used for such algorithms. Classical Grid Computing platforms are available only to a restricted group of biologist, since they are expensive, and require skilled professionals for deployment and maintenance. Projects deployed using volunteer computing systems require a high visibility. The alternative, peer-to-peer platform is mainly used for sharing data. This paper presents the Mini-Grid Framework, a P2P infrastructure and programming framework for distribution of computational tasks like bioinformatics algorithm. The framework contributes with concepts and technologies for minimal configuration by non-technical end-users, a ‘resource-push’ auction approach for dynamic task distribution, and context modeling of tasks and resources in order to handle volatile execution environment. The efficiency of the infrastructure has been evaluated using experiments.