Caching/data-grids are going through a similar evolution to databases. As with databases, we started by using caching as an embedded service to the application. Now we are in the phase where we need to be able to share the data between multiple applications, or in cases where we don’t want to share the data, we need to be able to share the resources for managing the data, while keeping a high degree of isolation.
The demand for these sort of requirements becomes much more common with SOA or SaaS-based applications. As we approach the next generation of middleware and data-centers, it becomes clear that we cannot move to the next wave of virtualization and cloud computing without a strong security and isolation solution that is built-in to all layers of our application and middleware.