Most large computational centers have some form of accounting. Accounting is built into most modern operating systems. It acts as both a method of identification and as a method of tracking usage. In order to be accountable for utilization some measurement methodology must be agreed upon. This must be well defined.
Most accounting systems have a method of measuring usage.
What is needed in the grid environment is a way to compare resources of diverse architectures. This includes system administration, where agreed upon levels of middle-ware, operating systems, and any other key software elements are maintained. Included in this are should be the support of various hardware and network elements that are critical to the functioning of the overall grid environment. The method of scheduling periodic maintenance and other scheduled interruptions of key components of the grid, including networks, compute systems, data stores, instruments, and servers Method of reporting system, network, and software availability User Support Users are the reason for a grid. Supporting them is more difficult in a grid environment for many reasons, not the least of which is the geographically distributed nature of grids.