WSRF (Web Services Resource Framework)
A proposed Web-services specification for grid computing that attempts to improve on existing standards such as OGSI by added stateful Web-services interfaces.
Todays grid computing implementations are usually based on the Open Grid Services Infrastructure specification. Based on XML Schema Definitions and WSDL, OGSI provides useful tools for Web services developers. OGSI, however, was based on older Web services specifications and has become cumbersome for developers accustomed to the newer Web services specifications.
WSRF defines a new approach for accessing stateful resources which supports the grid computing infrastructure and also provides for stateful Web services in general - in other words, the special-case solution for grid computing (in OGSI) was generalized to the benefit of all Web services (through WSRF). The jointly developed WSRF specification reflects a strong positive collaboration between the Global Grid Forum and OASIS - which now has a technical committee working on WSRF.
Support for WSRF will be available in the next generation of the Globus Toolkit, GT 4, which is due in early 2005 and will implement the full WSRF specification and comply with the latest Web services specifications.
WSRF represents further convergence in the infrastructure of grid computing and Web services, bringing the two communities closer together and spurring development of other shared tools and standards. "We will be playing with the early release code all through the summer," says a senior architect for one of the largest active grid computing implementations, who is planning to implement WSRF as soon as it's released.
From WSRF melds grid computing and Web services, Network World Data Center Newsletter, 05/10/04.
Additional resources
OASIS WSRF Technical Committee
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