Abstract: The present invention provides tools and techniques for facilitating (314) management of storage (122), software (118), and other resources of a computer (102) at a distinct management computer (110) using a disassociated ample image (104) of the managed computer's storage. Ample images may be searched (310) to identify (414) infected files or illegal files, to extract (410) disk usage information, or for other reasons. Ample images may be modified (312) and then deployed (316) back to the original imaged computer and/or to other computers outside the management node. Modifications may change (502, 504, 506) application software, change (508, 510, 512) hardware drivers to match hardware changes on the target computer(s), manipulate (520) partitions, and/or perform other steps to optimize storage, software, or other resources.

Abstract: Mechanisms for enforcing permissions on stored data. Prior to storing the data, a data structure containing the data is accessed, and then modified to include a license that represents permission(s) for how the data should be used when the data structure is later accessed. The modified data structure is then stored, after perhaps some optional transformation. When the data structure is later accessed, the license is acquired from the data structure. The license is then used to determine whether or not to honor specific requests to use the data. This determination may be made based on license validation instructions executed from a removable media. Furthermore, the license may be the exclusive determining factor for the license validation instructions in determining whether or not to honor specific requests.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and techniques for facilitating (314) management of storage (122), software (118), and other resources of a computer (102) at a distinct management computer (110) using a disassociated ample image (104) of the managed computer's storage. Ample images may be searched (310) to identify (414) infected files or illegal files, to extract (410) disk usage information, or for other reasons. Ample images may be modified (312) and then deployed (316) back to the original imaged computer and/or to other computers outside the management node. Modifications may change (502, 504, 506) application software, change (508, 510, 512) hardware drivers to match hardware changes on the target computer(s), manipulate (520) partitions, and/or perform other steps to optimize storage, software, or other resources.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and techniques for facilitating (314) management of storage (122), software (118), and other resources of a computer (102) at a distinct management computer (110) using a disassociated ample image (104) of the managed computer's storage. Ample images may be searched (310) to identify (414) infected files or illegal files, to extract (410) disk usage information, or for other reasons. Ample images may be modified (312) and then deployed (316) back to the original imaged computer and/or to other computers outside the management node. Modifications may change (502, 504, 506) application software, change (508, 510, 512) hardware drivers to match hardware changes on the target computer(s), manipulate (520) partitions, and/or perform other steps to optimize storage, software, or other resources.