Management Information System (MIS) Practice Exam

Which characteristic differentiates grid computing from cloud computing?

1. Grid computing uses a large number of computers.

2. Grid computing provides dynamically scalable resources.

3. Cloud computing is applied to a single large problem.

4. Grid computing provides convenient on-demand access to resources.

The correct answer is: Grid computing uses a large number of computers.

Grid computing is fundamentally characterized by the use of a large network of computers that work together to solve a complex problem. This setup typically involves sharing resources across a distributed system, effectively pooling the processing power of multiple machines to handle demanding computational tasks. This characteristic of leveraging numerous computers in unison is what sets grid computing apart from cloud computing. In contrast, cloud computing focuses more on providing on-demand access to a flexible and scalable pool of resources, which can vary in size and capability depending on the user needs. Additionally, cloud computing can facilitate both small-scale and large-scale applications without necessarily depending on a vast network of interconnected computers tackling a single problem. The aspect of dynamically scaling resources, as seen in cloud computing, is designed to adapt to changing demands, which is less of a focus in traditional grid computing configurations. Therefore, the defining characteristic that differentiates grid computing from cloud computing is indeed its reliance on a large number of computers working collaboratively to address complex computations.