Virtual organization (grid computing)

In Grid computing, a Virtual Organization (VO) refers to a dynamic set of individual and/or institutions defined around a set of resource-sharing rules and conditions. All these virtual organizations share some commonality among them, including common concerns and requirements, but may vary in size, scope, duration, sociology, and structure.

The collaborations involved in Grid computing lead to the emergence of multiple organizations that function as one unit through the use of their shared competencies and resources for the purpose of one or more identified goals.

Virtual Organisation members (A-J) can group together dynamically, to use different resources (e.g. databases)

A virtual organisation has the characteristics of a formal organisation while not being one. It comprises a complex network of smaller organisations which each contribute a part of the production process. Boundaries between organisations are fuzzy; control is generally by market forces, reinforced by the certainty of long- term contracts.

See also

• List of distributed computing projects
• Open Grid Forum
• Cloud Computing