LC Q8: Grid Computing Technology

Following is a question by the Hon Sin Chung-kai and a written reply by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, in the Legislative Council today (May 28):

Question:

It has been reported that grid computing can integrate geographically dispersed computers into a computer network through the Internet for provision of super data processing power. Users can share and administer resources in the system to maximise the efficiency and utilisation rate of its component computers. Grid computing also allows users in the system to collaborate in consolidating idle processing resources for enhancement of working efficiency and reduction of operating costs. In this connection, all computer networks throughout the United Kingdom will be linked into a large scale grid computing network; the U.S. Department of Energy will install its first systems on a nationwide computing grid; and computer resources for researches on subjects like bioinformatics at five universities in the Netherlands will be linked into a grid computing network. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether it knows the plans for grid computing implemented in the above countries;

(b) whether it has assessed if grid computing is applicable to the operation of various government departments and the research work of various universities and research institutions in Hong Kong; if it has, of the assessment results; if not, the reasons for that; and

(c) if the above assessment results show that grid computing is applicable to the operation of various government departments, of the government departments which will take the lead to adopt such technology, the estimated savings to be achieved and its effects on the service quality of the departments concerned?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) We are aware of the grid computing projects carried out in the United Kingdom, the United States and the Netherlands. Apart from these, there are also similar projects in other places, such as the China Grid, the European Union Data Grid, the Asia Pacific Grid, etc. In commercial operation, there is also application of grid computing where intensive computing or massive data analysis is required, for example, in using random state simulation to analyse complicated financial environment, optimising product design, and pharmaceutical research and production.

(b) While computer systems in most Government departments are not required to handle intensive computing or massive data analysis as in the case of scientific research, we do not rule out the possibility that grid computing may be an effective solution to the data processing demand of some departments. Professional and academic experts have briefed the representatives of Government departments on the application of grid computing through internal seminar organised by the Information Technology Services Department (ITSD). A web page on grid computing has also been posted by ITSD on the Government's Intranet. All these provide departments with more information about grid computing so as to help them assess its applicability in their operation.

The HARNET (Hong Kong Academic and Research Network) which links up the networks of the eight universities in Hong Kong is technically feasible to support grid computing. It has conducted joint projects with the China Grid and participated in related activities of the Asia Pacific Grid. Individual institutions have also taken part in international conferences and initiated research on the application of grid computing.

As the issue still requires more detailed study, we have yet to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the applicability of grid computing to Government departments as well as to local universities and research institutions. We, however, will continue to pay close attention to the technological development in this area, exchange views with universities on the setting up and application of grid computing, and study the feasibility of its application in Hong Kong.

(c) The merit of grid computing lies in its capability to perform intensive computing or massive data processing. For the time being, international examples of successful application are mostly related to scientific research. As to whether the Government can make a wide use of grid computing to reduce expenditure or enhance the quality of services of the departments, since we do not have any substantive cases of implementation at the moment, we are not yet in a position to assess the effectiveness of grid computing. The Environmental Protection Department has made trial use of grid computing technology. We will brief departments on possible areas of application of grid computing, such as data analysis, statistics, geographical data processing, scientific or economic simulation, etc. At the same time, we will continue to pay attention to the grid computing technology and service level provided by the local information technology market, and provide such information to the departments for reference.

Wednesday, May 28, 2003

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