Abstract: A method for file storage management. The method includes the steps of determining by a first computer, for a plurality of peer computers in a communication network of the first computer, information on the storage management of blocks of the file by the peer computers. In addition, the method includes selecting, by the first computer, blocks of the file to be made available to the first computer independently of the plurality of peer computers, responsive to the determined information and managing a storage unit of the first computer, such that the non-selected blocks of the file are not stored locally by the first computer.

Abstract: A method of device maintenance, comprising: providing a maintenance network including a user site and a multi-device servicing site that provides maintenance to at least one target device in said user site; selecting, by a user, a degree of access of maintenance functions of said servicing site to at least one of maintenance-related information of said target device and commanding said target device to perform a maintenance-related task; and setting said degree of access.

Abstract: A method of device maintenance, comprising: providing a maintenance network including a user site and a multi-device servicing site that provides maintenance to at least one target device in said user site; selecting, by a user, a degree of access of maintenance functions of said servicing site to at least one of maintenance-related information of said target device and commanding said target device to perform a maintenance-related task; and setting said degree of access.

Abstract: A method of device maintenance including determining that maintenance should be performed on a target device, automatically selecting a maintenance process including at least one maintenance task to effect said maintenance, automatically managing said maintenance process on a maintenance server separate from said target device, said maintenance server adapted to manage maintenance processes for a plurality of devices, said managing including at least monitoring the execution of said process and automatically performing at least one said maintenance-related task to effect at least a portion of said maintenance of said target device.