scope:

The present document identifies interoperability gaps in existing and emerging Grid standards. It identifies shortcomings, overlaps and loopholes in current, proposed, and de facto Grid standards at all levels of the middleware/protocol stack (network to application interfaces), with specific consideration for large-scale commercialization and interoperability of standards/systems relevant to the ICT sector (i.e. the ETSI constituency), such as NGN.

This is part two of a two part document providing a study of ICT Grid interoperability gaps. The present document provides an initial gap analysis. The gaps have been identified through analysis of a series of scenarios, a summary of which can be found in the appendices. By selecting common themes across those scenarios it has been possible to identify specific requirements. These have directed the analysis of specific Grid standards. Standards identified may be Grid specific standards or other standards which support an integrated Grid NGN environment.

The present document addresses:

• Interoperability gaps in Grid Standards.
• Interoperability gaps between Grid and NGN standards in an integrated environment.

The present document does not address:

• Interoperability gaps between different Grid infrastructures due to custom software packages.
• Interoperability gaps between two implementations of the same standard (e.g. shortcomings and lack of precision).

TR 102 659-1 [i.21]captures the current state of Grid technologies and identifies the key stakeholders, including standards making bodies, research projects, production Grids and other initiatives. Additionally, it identifies a recommended base of standards and de facto standards in the form of a Grid ICT Profile, taking into account the requirements for interoperability in the ICT domain.