Abstract
Distributed parallel computing using message-passing techniques on Networks of Workstations (NOW) has achieved widespread use in the context of Local Area Networks (LAN). Recently, the concept of Grid-based computing using Wide Area Networks (WAN) has been proposed as a general solution to distributed high performance computing. The use of computers and resources at different geographic locations connected by a Wide Area Network and executing a real application introduces additional variables that potentially complicate the efficient use of these resources. Presented here are the results of a study that begins to characterize the performance issues of a WAN-based NOW, connecting resources that span an international border.
