Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods that provide a portal user with role-based access to components on a network via portlets within the portal. The role-based access can be sharable such that one or more users with a similar role can instantiate instances of a shared portal. Sharable configurations can be stored local to the user's portal, local to another portal and/or within a networked storage medium. The access provides a user with an entry-point to components, wherein a user can monitor and control components. The user can additionally configure the portal such that the component access is further based on the user's location. Advantages of the present invention include delineation of access and administrative functionality, the ability to combine web and application servers within a similar environment, and the ability to access (e.g., controlling, collecting and analyzing data, etc.) when the user is not utilizing the portal.