MINOS on the GRID: Documentation

Last modified: Mon May 28 12:37:45 BST 2007
Nick West

Intended Audience

There is no such thing as "The GRID"; you cannot use the definite article! There are lots of GRIDs and even more ways to think about "GRID computing". Fortunately GRID computing in the MINOS context can focus on just two:-

LHC Computing Grid (LCG) This is the GRID used in Europe by HEP. Although not identical to the GRID Enabling Grids for E-sciencE (EGEE) the two are essentially identical so far as HEP is concerned so the two terms are interchangeable.
Open Science Grid (OSG) This is the GRID used in the US science community.

In the short term this documents will have a strong LCG bias as UK group have to start using the LCG GRID in 2007 to access resources at RAL. Hopefully over time it will become less biased with the introduction of OSG GRID tools and the harmonisation of GRID generally.

This web has been written not because there is insufficient information already on the Internet, but perversely because there is far too much. The problem is that because the GRID isn't a single complete consistent whole but rather multiple overlapping, conflicting, evolving systems and we have to select from the myriad of available documents just those that are strictly relevant to get our job done.

Document Types

This web is organised into the following types of documents:-

Primer
There is a single primer to introduce new users to the GRID.
Administration
Practical information cover various aspects of GRID administration
Tutorials
More or less self-contained introductions to core concepts with practical examples.
Glossary
Short, self-contained description of GRID components.
Reference
Detailed information on various aspects of the GRID

Link Colour Notation

It is not practical to have all the information within this document; there have to be external links, but they should all be preceded by a colour coded @ that signifies as follows:-

@ (green) e.g. @ CA Supported Browsers
Follow this link. It contains essential information not present in this document
@ (blue) e.g. @ Grid Basics
Follow this link when you have time. Not essential when getting started but worth following when you have the time as it may help broaden your knowledge.
@ (red) e.g. @ Grid Acceptable Use Policy
Don't follow this link unless you have a problem. Either this is the link from which all the useful information has been extracted or it contains information which might help if you have a specific problem.

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