It is likely that a grid will have many different types of machines, architectures, and operating systems. Each will be cataloged by the grid management software and made available as resources for use by participants. The grid may have software installed that is too expensive to install on every processor. The jobs that require this software can be directed to the particular machine where this software resides for successful execution. This is a function that autonomic computing could manage within the self-configuring functionality. If the software licensing fees are considerable, then significant savings, or at least a discount due from the grid licensing arrangements, can be had.
Software licensing can track where the software is installed and where concurrent copies are installed. Some vendors will object to the software grid licensing approach and inject code to prevent this from happening. Agreement is needed on a standardized approach; this is a function that autonomic software can manage.
