Metacomputing with the ICET System

IceT is based on the premise that distributed computations involve resources, processes, data, and users, and that secure yet flexible mechanisms for cooperation and communication between these types of entities is the key to metacomputing infrastructures. The basis for IceT computing is process-oriented distributed memory multicom-puting, but with key differences, including merging and splitting of virtual machines and code and data mobility. This paper describes the design philosophy of IceT and reports on qualitative experiences with preliminary use of a prototype system.