Distributed Computing Environment in the ESnet Community

Roy Whitney, CEBAF


Building on the success of the ESnet as a state-of-the-art network service, the ESnet Community is now erecting the foundation for a distributed computing environment. Goals include providing the infrastructure basis for collaborations setting up virtual laboratories, remote access to facilities and user networked R&D projects. Elements of the project include key distribution for systems using Kerberos authentication and/or public/private certification authority keys, Open Software Foundation's Distributed Computing Environment and Distributed File System, and secure E-mail. The project is coordinated through the ESnet Distributed Computing Coordinating Committee. Early users of the project will include the EPICS Collaboration, the new ESnet Community E-mail service, and a variety of WWW secure servers, distributed computing activities and virtual laboratory systems.