Grid computing is the use of shared resources for coordinated problem solving between multiple sites or administrative domains. Grid computing enables software applications to integrate instruments, displays, computation, and information in a straight-forward way using standard tools. This paradigm has become common in many application communities that use distributed resources in a coordinated manner.
This talk will give a high level over view of what is involved in Grid computing from an application scientist's point of view. It will describe how Grids have evolved, and where they are going to today, as well as highlighting open issues. Note will be made of standardization issues, and the use of the Globus Toolkit, the de facto standard software for using Grids.