Abstract: System and method for performing processing functions on a warehoused service image. In one embodiment, the system comprises a service image warehouse for storing at least one service image; means for modifying the at least one service image by performing at least one of a plurality of service image processing functions on a service image contemporaneously with a user's checking the at least one service image out of the service image warehouse; means for checking the modified service image back into the service image warehouse; and a plurality of compute nodes connected to the service image warehouse to which the at least one service image may be deployed. Each of the compute nodes comprises one of a physical machine and a virtual machine host.

Abstract: System and method for performing processing functions on a warehoused service image. In one embodiment, the system comprises a service image warehouse for storing at least one service image; means for modifying the at least one service image by performing at least one of a plurality of service image processing functions on a service image contemporaneously with a user's checking the at least one service image out of the service image warehouse; means for checking the modified service image back into the service image warehouse; and a plurality of compute nodes connected to the service image warehouse to which the at least one service image may be deployed. Each of the compute nodes comprises one of a physical machine and a virtual machine host.

Abstract: To effect a change to the system, a user process makes a request. An interface receives the request, and attempts to authenticate the user. Assuming the user is authenticated, the interface determines the user's UID. The interface determines a provider process that can make the requested change, and forwards the request to the provider process. The interface also assigns the user's UID to the provider process's eUID. The provider process then attempts to make the change, provided the change can be made given the eUID assignment. The provider process then attempts to run under the new eUID, enabling the system to prohibit it from doing something that is not authorized for that user. This protects the system from inadvertently executing management operations by one provider process that is not expected or intended by the user of another provider process.

Abstract: A computer receives a user authentication request from a client. The computer accesses a password associated with the user name, stored locally on the computer, and attempts to authenticate the password using an authentication server. If the password authentication succeeds, the computer hashes the password and compares the hashes. If the hashes match, the user authentication succeeds.