Heterogeneous in terms of group, resources, interface, distance etc. Security requires the definition of uniform authentication and authorization mechanisms that allow cooperating sites to accept credentials while retaining local control. GSS-API bindings used by ssh, SecureCRT, gsiftp, Globus, Condor others. Tools for the management of replicas of large data sets. There is now a European Grid Forum.
Today there is a solid technology base for security, resource management and information services.
This is a snapshot of today, but it is moving fast, with a lot of work following CHEP2000. The task force is coordinated by Les Robertson, proposal task force coordinated by Fabrizio, with participation by institutional representatives. The mission has a technical and political side. National institutions to propose industrial candidates by mid March. Equipment provider and middleware developer roles.