Sony in talks on commercial use for PS3

[Fox5]

Just wondering, what are the licensing restrictions regarding the PS3? Could a research institution buy a bunch (or even 1) to use for some computationally intensive project, or would that be restricted since IBM and Sony want research institutions to buy $10000 cell stations?

 

[3dilettante]

Participants are PS3s registered via Playstation Network accounts. If extra security is required, credit card information can be also requested to join in this initiative.

Then, via network, a security hardware leased from SCE can access the user database that contains PSN user IDs and associated hardware IDs of Cell processors.

With grid computing as I know it, the ideal scheme is that the customer would never know anything about the unit(s) that process its tasks.

If it's kept in the leased hardware, perhaps that is close enough to anonymity.

However, the ISP's grid task server remains a weak link. If it is not similarly secure, it is still the system that determines which PS3 units will be picked and will be listening for the authentication traffic.

 

[patsu]

However, the ISP's grid task server remains a weak link. If it is not similarly secure, it is still the system that determines which PS3 units will be picked and will be listening for the authentication traffic.

True ! But there is no reason to think why anyone would _not_ secure the task server(s). There are accounting implications (Who gets paid for the job done).

On the other side of the fence, someone can hack into a supercomputer too.

 

[3dilettante]

True ! But there is no reason to think why anyone would _not_ secure the task server(s). There are accounting implications (Who gets paid for the job done).

On the other side of the fence, someone can hack into a supercomputer too.

Perhaps the ISP wants to make some money off of corporate espionage?

There are thousands of ISPs and there are bound to be some that have poor security policies, or large ISPs where one server was set up when the tech was in a hurry.

Look at how lousy most large corporation security policies are right now.
Some kind of initiative outside of the security SDK must be present to verify and build trust.

 

[patsu]

Perhaps the ISP wants to make some money off of corporate espionage?

There are thousands of ISPs and there are bound to be some that have poor security policies, or large ISPs where one server was set up when the tech was in a hurry.

Look at how lousy most large corporation security policies are right now.
Some kind of initiative outside of the security SDK must be present to verify and build trust.

Then host the task server(s) in-house or in a trusted site, and hire a good system admin.

 

[3dilettante]

The client can't do that.

Grid computing takes that decision away from the client and abstracts it behind the service provider's interface.

It's something less pervasive if there isn't that utility aspect.

 

[patsu]

The client can't do that.

Grid computing takes that decision away from the client and abstracts it behind the service provider's interface.

It's something less pervasive if there isn't that utility aspect.

Not all "Grids" are this way ?

In the "PS3 business network" case, the network consists of PS3 nodes and probably a set of task servers that are controlled by the paying customers (or Sony). They can be secured. Unauthorized nodes won't be able to join the network.

For Amazon EC2, the images are all hosted by Amazon while the customers create, start/stop and manage them (via webservices calls to EC2). Again, no unauthorized images/nodes get into the picture.

 

[3dilettante]

Not all "Grids" are this way ?

In the "PS3 business network" case, the network consists of PS3 nodes and probably a set of task servers that are controlled by the paying customers (or Sony). They can be secured. Unauthorized nodes won't be able to join the network.

I'm addressing the scenario Kutaragi discussed with the services being for sale by the ISPs. Those would not be owned by either Sony or the customers.

 

[patsu]

Oh ok... but it will hardly change the picture though. I think you're refering to the paragraph:

An enormous demand for computing will be born in homes. A part of the Cell's computation power could be sold to, for example, information service providers and could be purchased when large processing power was necessary. This is already realized as a part of grid computing, but the Cell could realize it in much faster and more effective way. This would encourage the emergence of a new business.

As long as there are buying and selling relationships and an intermediary such as the ISPs, they will take steps to secure the necessary infrastructure. As I mentioned, there are accounting involved to compensate contributing PS3 owners (and above that tight SOX regulations). If the ISPs are lax, they may get cheated by malicious PS3 owners. Some sort of certification and secure setup is probably required too to make sure a participating ISP will not break the existing "grid". There can also be different "level" of grids using the same model.

This will be unlike F@H or other casual grid efforts. That said, I do agree that it's a great challenge, and I don't know why homes will generate enormous demand for computing resources yet (Unless Sony has some apps in mind).