Abstract: A system for describing computing environments as electronic documents, programs or other types of electronic representation or data is disclosed. The environment description can be created, transferred and ultimately used to create the specified computing environment for use by an end user, or users, in many different applications. The invention provides abstraction software and a user interface to allow a human user to specify a definition for the computing environment. Desired components are selected and included in the environment definition. Environment definitions can be stored and transferred in a manner compatible with typical electronic information. Environment definitions can be installed onto hardware and software resources by installation software. Environments can be installed on specific components from which the environment was originally abstracted, or on other sufficiently similar components.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning a virtual network is provided. Virtual networks can be automatically formed including switches in networks, such as local and private networks. Once the virtual networks are formed, virtual computing devices can be provisioned in place of physical computing devices that are connected to the switches. A system for provisioning a virtual network including a first virtual subnet and a second virtual subnet is provided. The system includes a first switch; a second switch; a first software process associated with first switch for provisioning the first virtual subnet; a second software process associated with the second switch for provisioning the second virtual subnet; and a communication link connecting the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: A system and a method of providing a dynamic computing environment to a user, in which the dynamic computing environment is configured to communicate and to operate under the control of the user. The dynamic computing environment has one or more virtual resources including at least one virtual computing device and one or more computer programs associated with the at least one virtual computing device. According to the present invention, the user has access, for example, to interact with, to modify, and to use the dynamic computing environment including the at least one virtual resource and the at least one physical resource.

Abstract: A system and a method of providing a dynamic computing environment to a user, in which the dynamic computing environment is configured to communicate and to operate under the control of the user. The dynamic computing environment has one or more virtual resources including at least one virtual computing device and one or more computer programs associated with the at least one virtual computing device. According to the present invention, the user has access, for example, to interact with, to modify, and to use the dynamic computing environment including the at least one virtual resource and the at least one physical resource.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning a virtual network is provided. Virtual networks can be automatically formed including switches in networks, such as local and private networks. Once the virtual networks are formed, virtual computing devices can be provisioned in place of physical computing devices that are connected to the switches. A system for provisioning a virtual network including a first virtual subnet and a second virtual subnet is provided. The system includes a first switch; a second switch; a first software process associated with first switch for provisioning the first virtual subnet; a second software process associated with the second switch for provisioning the second virtual subnet; and a communication link connecting the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: A system for describing computing environments as electronic documents, programs or other types of electronic representation or data is disclosed. The environment description can be created, transferred and ultimately used to create the specified computing environment for use by an end user, or users, in many different applications. The invention provides abstraction software and a user interface to allow a human user to specify a definition for the computing environment. Desired components are selected and included in the environment definition. Environment definitions can be stored and transferred in a manner compatible with typical electronic information. Environment definitions can be installed onto hardware and software resources by installation software. Environments can be installed on specific components from which the environment was originally abstracted, or on other sufficiently similar components.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning a virtual network is provided. Virtual networks can be automatically formed including switches in networks, such as local and private networks. Once the virtual networks are formed, virtual computing devices can be provisioned in place of physical computing devices that are connected to the switches. A system for provisioning a virtual network including a first virtual subnet and a second virtual subnet is provided. The system includes a first switch; a second switch; a first software process associated with first switch for provisioning the first virtual subnet; a second software process associated with the second switch for provisioning the second virtual subnet; and a communication link connecting the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning a virtual network is provided. Virtual networks can be automatically formed including switches in networks, such as local and private networks. Once the virtual networks are formed, virtual computing devices can be provisioned in place of physical computing devices that are connected to the switches. A system for provisioning a virtual network including a first virtual subnet and a second virtual subnet is provided. The system includes a first switch; a second switch; a first software process associated with first switch for provisioning the first virtual subnet; a second software process associated with the second switch for provisioning the second virtual subnet; and a communication link connecting the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: A system and a method of providing a dynamic computing environment to a user, in which the dynamic computing environment is configured to communicate and to operate under the control of the user. The dynamic computing environment has one or more virtual resources including at least one virtual computing device and one or more computer programs associated with the at least one virtual computing device. According to the present invention, the user has access, for example, to interact with, to modify, and to use the dynamic computing environment including the at least one virtual resource and the at least one physical resource.

Abstract: A system for describing computing environments as electronic documents, programs or other types of electronic representation or data. The environment description can be easily created, transferred and ultimately used to create the specified environment for use by an end user, or users, in many different applications. The invention provides abstraction software and a user interface to allow a human user to specify a definition for the computing environment. Desired components are selected and included in the environment definition. Default components can be provided to help a user design a viable environment. Hardware and software components can also be associated with constraints so that, for example, incompatible components such as software that can not run on different central processing units, under certain operating systems, etc., will not be selected. Abstraction software can also use parameters to associate additional qualities, restrictions or properties with components.