EGI signs agreement with the LHC computing grid

The European Grid Infrastructure (EGI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG) on 24 January. The MoU formalises the long-term relationship between EGI and the High Energy Physics Virtual Research Community.

The agreement was signed by Steven Newhouse on behalf of the EGI federation, and Ian Bird, head of the LHC Computing Grid project.

The WLCG is a global collaboration that links grid infrastructures and computer centres worldwide, set up to distribute, store and analyse the data generated by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiments at CERN. WLCG is a mature research community, both in its own right and in its use of grid technology.

“The WLCG is a core user community for all of us working in the European Grid Infrastructure. For the last ten years we have collaborated very closely together to build and operate the infrastructure that we have today" says Steven Newhouse. “This MoU solidifies our current relationship and provides a framework for managing change as our infrastructure evolves to support other researchers regardless of discipline or location.”

The MoU represents a new step in the relationship between EGI and its largest user community, aimed at building a collaboration that will bring significant benefits to the High Energy Physics scientific community.

“This agreement with EGI is very important to the long-term sustainability of WLCG and the services we are providing to the High Energy Physics community,” says Ian Bird. “This collaboration will ensure that both continue to exploit the expertise and resources available for the benefit of all researchers."

The joint work plan outlined in the agreement focuses on strengthening user support activities, harmonising common policies and procedures, gathering requirements and integrating operational activities.