Deriving the grid metaphor from the electric network of cables and power stations, grid computing is and extension of the concept of "computer time sharing" in which the computing environment aims at enabling the selection, sharing, and aggregation of geographically distributed resources based on a range of considerations important to optimizing computing resources. Aiming his volume at corporate IT professionals, Minoli (managing director, Leading-Edge Networks Incorporated) synthesizes the state of the field, covering such topics as grid benefits; components and architectures; standards; deployment issues and approaches; grid system economics; and communication systems for local, national, and global grids.