Dynamic virtualization of AliEn grid jobs using the Vmbatch system

Abstract

The Vmbatch system is shown to be a robust and reliable system for running batch jobs inside virtual machines. The system has been developed as a lightweight tool to establish and clean up virtual machines for CernVM processing of ALICE grid jobs. It can work with a stock guest image and interfaces with the Torque batch system. With the use of virtualization, the system can create a homogeneous execution environment for grid jobs that can be expanded dynamically upon availability of generic computing resources.