Connecting client objectives with resource capabilities

In large-scale, distributed systs such as Grids, an agreent between a client and a service provider specifies service level objectives both as expressions of client requirents and as provider assurances. Ideally, these objectives are expressed in a high-level, service- or application-specific manner rather than requiring clients to detail the necessary resources. Resource providers on the other hand, expect low-level, resource specific performance criteria that are uniform across applications and can easily be interpreted and provisioned.