A cost-benefit analysis of a campus computing grid

Preston M Smith, Purdue University

Abstract

Any major research institution has a substantial number of computer systems on its campus, often in the scale of tens of thousands. Given that a large amount of scientific computing is appropriate for execution in an opportunistic environment, a campus grid is an inexpensive way to build a powerful computational resource. What is missing, though, is a model for making an informed decision on the cost-effectives of a campus grid. In this thesis, the author describes a model for measuring the costs and benefits of building a campus computing resource based on the institution's existing investment in computing hardware. For this study, the author calculates the usable capacity of a campus environment, and based on TCO data for Purdue University's campus grid, presents a model for calculating the base cost for a core-hour of computation in the campus grid.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Evans, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Information Technology|Computer science

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