Abstract: A method for maintaining patch information for a plurality of clients using a remote file system that includes obtaining component information from a report associated with each of the plurality of clients, populating a patch file on the remote file system when a component found on the plurality of clients is not current based on component information, and accessing the patch file on the remote file system to update the plurality of clients, wherein the report and the patch file are stored in the remote file system.

Abstract: A method for virtual computing that includes receiving a virtual computer specification, wherein the virtual computer specification defines a plurality of hardware and software configuration requirements for a virtual computer and a duration requirement for use of the virtual computer, requisitioning a plurality of computing resources based on the plurality of hardware and software configuration requirements, provisioning the plurality of computing resources from a pool of computing resources to obtain a provisioned virtual computer, and scheduling the plurality of computing resources of the provisioned virtual computer for use based on the duration requirement.

Abstract: A method for selling and executing an application using a remote file system for a plurality of clients that includes receiving a purchase request for the application from a client of the plurality of clients, adding an application icon to the remote file system for the client, wherein the application icon allows access to the application and wherein the application icon is added after receiving the purchasing request, receiving an execution request for the application, wherein the execution request is received when the client accesses the application icon, and initiating execution of the application from the remote file system for the client, wherein the application is executed by the client from the remote file system.

Abstract: A method for providing an interface to a service for a plurality of clients by a backend data center using a remote file system that includes receiving a first file by the remote file system from a client of the plurality of clients, determining the service associated with the first file, reformatting the first file based on the service, transmitting the reformatted first file as a request to the service, receiving a response from the service based on the request, and storing the response in a second file on the remote file system, wherein the second file is accessed remotely by the client from the remote file system, and wherein the first file is simultaneously visible to the client and the backend data center.

Abstract: A method for providing managed computing service for a plurality of clients using a remote file system that includes obtaining a plurality of service unit files associated with each of the plurality of clients, updating a service unit file in the plurality of service unit files when a service unit is found not current based on the plurality of service unit files, and accessing the service unit file in the plurality of service unit files to update the plurality of clients, wherein the plurality of service unit files are stored and accessed on the remote file system by using a local file system.