Markets as global scheduling mechanisms: The current state

Abstract

Viewing the computers as "suppliers" and the users as "consumers" of computing services, markets for computing services/resources have been examined as one of the most promising mechanisms for global scheduling. We first establish how economics can contribute to scheduling. We further define the criterion for a scheme to qualify as an application of economics. Many studies to date have claimed to have applied economics to scheduling. If their scheduling mechanisms do not utilize economics, contrary to their claims, their favorable results do not contribute to the assertion that markets provide the best framework for global scheduling. For any of the schemes examined, we could not reach the conclusion that it makes full use of economics. © 2002 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.