The Information Technology Research Institute at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has used an improved version of GLOBUS software, developed through joint research with NEC Corporation, and achieved the first ever operation of a supercomputer via a high-speed network.

In the research, the supercomputer at the Telecommunications Advancement Organization of Japan Tsukuba Gigabit Laboratory and an AIST computer were connected via the Tsukuba WAN high-speed network. The Gigabit Laboratory supercomputer was then successfully operated by the AIST computer.

Next-generation Internet technologies will involve what is termed “grid computing” that enables anybody at any location and at any time to freely access various information resources (on computers, databases, laboratory equipment, personal mobile terminals, etc.) connected to a network. An enormous amount of research into grid computing is currently underway around the world. The AIST research project enabled a supercomputer to become an integral component of the grid, thereby overcoming some of the challenges involved in universal access.

Future research planned includes connection of other supercomputers to the Tsukuba WAN and interconnection of information resources that are connected to global networks.