Oracle is working with the CERN openlab for DataGrid applications research facility, which is developing next generation grid computing technologies.

Cern's openlab for DataGrid applications centres on collaboration between Cern researchers and vendor companies, including Oracle, Enterasys Networks, HP, IBM and Intel, to create and test prototype grid applications.

The organisation aims to provide a collaborative environment for common development programmes based on open standards.

Oracle is to provide €1.5m over three years towards equipment and the funding of young research fellows who will test Oracle Database 10g within Cern's research environment.

Cern's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particle physics acclerator, currently under construction, will be the largest scientific instrument in the world.

The LHC Computing Grid (LCG) is expected to be the largest data-intensive application of the decade, because it will represent the key link between the LHC detectors and nearly 10,000 particle scientists and tens of thousands of computers around the world.

This computing grid will be used to analyse data from the LHC, sifting through petabytes of particle collision data, looking for clues to the origins of the universe.

"The challenges we face with grid computing are understanding what impact it will have on future applications, where it will benefit organisations most, what applications are most suited to the grid, and what implementation challenges exist," said Wolfgang von Ruden, head of the Cern openlab for DataGrid applications and leader of the IT Division at Cern.

"The Cern openlab collaboration will enable us to demonstrate how grid technologies will impact the future development of the LCG, which is already being used in real life in a grid spanning over a dozen different countries."

"That we have already been able to deliver grid technology to the market in the shape of Oracle 10g is due in no small part to the close partnership we have had with Cern over the years," added Sergio Giacoletto, executive vice president, Oracle EMEA.

"Cern is pushing the envelope in this area, and we are delighted to make a further contribution via this sponsorship of the openlab project."