[userserv-wg] Call for Discussion: Merging GUS-RG and PGM-RG

[Laura McGinnis]

At GGF12 in Brussels, the possibility of merging the Grid User Services and 
Production Grid Management research groups was
raised. Since September, the chairs of the research groups and the area 
directors have been discussing issues involved in merging. We would like 
input from both research groups on the revised charter, posted below, and 
on any items you think we may have overlooked.

There are some good reasons why merging these groups might be a good idea:

1) There is a lot of overlap in topics being addressed by both RGs.

2) Both groups would benefit from the influx of new perspectives and 
members that the merger would bring.

3) PGM has a strong history of providing workshops for GGF; GUS has 
material that would add value when shared in a workshop setting (i.e. 
strength in symbiosis).

4) GUS has two documents that are near completing. PGM input would add 
value to these documents as they are finalized and submitted to the 
document process.

Please post comments, etc, to both mailing lists, so that both groups can 
participate in the discussion.

thx
LM




PGM/GUS Merged Charter:

Purpose:

The purpose of this group is to bring together grid practitioners to 
document experiences, identify best practice and develop informational 
documents. These documents are offered as suggested guides to organizations 
moving a grid to the persistent level. This group also explores new 
paradigms in supporting grids that aspire to become large scale grids with 
a large user/application base, while not excluding the small grid efforts. 
In addition, this forum can be used to discuss problems and concerns that 
are likely to be encountered, technical as well as non-technical, when 
moving grid testbeds to production environments. This group should have an 
ongoing presence in GGF, serving a SIG/UG purpose in the grid community.

Goals:

G-1) Identify technical and non-technical issues that need to be addressed 
for a production grid installation to be successful.
G-2) Develop "common practices" documents for critical issues as they are 
identified.
G-3) Facilitate opportunities for grid users and practitioners to share 
experiences in bringing grids to production.
G-4) Spin off Working Groups when the need for detailed GGF documents (e.g. 
recommendations) is identified.

Milestones:

M-1) Grid Constitution Document - spin off WG to complete
M-2) PGM Survey
M-3) Tools Document - to be completed bu current team (had been submitted 
to GGF Editor)
M-4) Trouble Ticket Document - revaluate interest, identify authors for 
this document; spin off WG if warranted
M-5) Workshops

Chairs: David Wallom, University of Bristol, UK
         Judith Utley, USA
         Laura McGinnis, Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, USA






Laura F. McGinnis
Project Coordinator: Data & Information Resource Services
Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center        4400 Fifth Avenue, # 
409D       Pittsburgh, PA 15213
email: lfm at psc.edu                      voice: 
412-268-5642             fax: 412-268-5832