A Distributed Architecture for Multi-dimensional Indexing and Data Retrieval in Grid Environments ∗

In this paper, we describe a service-oriented architecture of a generic middleware platform, which provides the required services for data management in a distributed environment. Our design introduces concepts from Peer-to-Peer computing in order to provide a scalable and reliable infrastructure for storage, search and retrieval of annotated content. To ensure fast searching in the distributed repositories of a Virtual Organization, our system incorporates a multidimensional indexing scheme, which serves the need for supporting both point and range queries over a set of metadata attributes. Finally, multimedia file transfers are conducted using GridTorrent, a grid-enabled, Peer-toPeer mechanism that allows the aggregate data transfer throughput to scale and effectively copes with flash crowds.