What is Distributed Computing?

Created by Slahr Dzhe

Distributed computing is a means of processing amounts of data that are so large, it would take an unacceptable amount of time (ie: days, months, years, etc) if implemented on a single computing device. This process is achieved by dividing the data into smaller pieces, blocks, or work units, to be processed multiple computing devices. This can be done in one of two ways.

Where there is a challenge, there is fun to be had! Here in this forum we share the fun. Challenge yourself to maximize your distributed potential! Become part of our Team's challenge to dominate all of the distributed projects!
Winning prize money, however unlikely, is not the carrot that keeps members in for the long haul: Stats, team rivalrys, and fun, are.
-ZapZilla, Team AnandTech member and RC5 cracking God

Method #1

Build a computing device with many processing units contained within the device itself, and have that device, as a whole, process the data. A good example of this is ASCI. The following link contains information about ASCI, as well as distributed computing.

http://www.llnl.gov/asci/overview/

The following is a link to info about the latest ASCI computer, called ASCI White.

http://www.llnl.gov/asci/news/white-news.html

Advantages:

Can be used in a secure environment.

Disadvantages:

Cost of computers can be as high as $100 million USD, with an operating cost of up to $30 million USD per year!

Method #2 - The Team Anandtech Way!

Create an application, or client, to be installed on many computing devices that are separated from each other physically, as well as having a diverstity of hardware and operating systems. SETI@Home, Dcypher's Gamma Flux, Distributed Network's RC5-64 Challenge and GIMPS (Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search) are examples of this second method.

SETI@Home http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
Dcypher http://www.dcypher.net/
Distributed http://www.distributed.net/
GIMPS http://www.mersenne.org/prime.htm

Advantages:

Can be used on computing devices such as PC's and the "Super Computers" in the first method.
These projects in particular run their clients in the computing devices idle time (when the computer isn't doing anything else).
Statistics(Stats) that are updated on a daily basis, and in some cases every 15 minutes.
Has aided in theft recovery.
Prize money (not all projects)

Disadvantages:

Statistics(Stats) that are updated on a daily basis, and in some cases every 15 minutes.
May require computer to be up 24/7 to increase daily stats, thereby increasing the power bill.

General Links

The following are links to general information about distributed computing.