GridCloud: A Secure Processing and Data Management Solution Using .Crunch V3

ABSTRACT:The Joint Environment Toolkit (JET) Increment 2 architecture consists of servers at six globally distributed Operational Weather Squadrons (OWS).Each server must handle peak demand of weather analysis and forecast information from 30-40 Weather Flights (WFs, which provide tactical weather information to pilots) in addition to 1,000 or more other operational users within their area of responsibility.The goal of this program is to provide an elastic deployment of Air Force Weather (AFW) servers by employing advanced cloud technologies.CEI has researched and architected a solution, GridCloud, drawing from proven distributed computing technologies (.Crunch) built by CEI for Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) under prior Phase II efforts to lower development risk.GridCloud is an architecture that defines a solution to the current data and resource sharing challenges that span the existing OWSs.It is critical that GridCloud support interfacing with JET to maximize transition potential, and CEIs team is composed to ensure that GridCloud is compatible with, and optimized for, JETs design and ultimately supports an elastic deployment of AFW servers.The result will be a cloud solution addressing security, interoperability, and portability for a system of data processing and storage hubs such as those used in JET.BENEFIT:CEI has developed software and hardware technologies for a variety of government programs, and the team has transitioned over 37 products to production for use in DoD and Government systems.CEI also has experience commercializing technology developed under Government-funded programs.Products are packaged as COTS items, listed on a catalog price sheet, supported with technical application notes and marketing materials, and made available for sale to both the commercial and Government markets.CEI will promote technologies developed under this effort as part of its standard commercial product marketing and sales activities.Additional evidence of CEIs success with the commercialization of SBIR technology can be seen in the recent presentation of the 2011 Tibbetts Award to CEI by the Small Business Administration.This prestigious award is presented to small businesses that represent excellence in achieving the mission and goals of the SBIR and STTR program, stimulate technological innovation, and increase commercialization of Federal research.A high priority transition opportunity that CEI will pursue during the proposed Phase II development effort is the JET program of record.GridCloud also provides commercialization opportunities beyond JET.The resulting prototype system represents the intersection of both grid and cloud computing that supports the unique challenges of Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS).A cloud is fundamentally about obscuring physical components while a grid is essentially about managing physical components.Viewed at a basic level, GridCloud enables a grid architecture that holds a series of scalable clouds, thus providing both IaaS and PaaS to the user.The .Crunch component provides IaaS and the CrunchCloud application that runs on it is PaaS.GridClouds web application could be customized to facilitate specific SaaS opportunities.There are two potential product paths that CEI will explore during Phase II: (1) licensing GridCloud as a stand-alone package, and (2) licensing GridCloud technology to a Value Added Reseller (VAR) or Integrator.