Abstract: A computer system includes one or more single board computers (“SBCs”), that are arranged connectively with a personal computer that acts as a host computer for the entire system. The host computer contains standard I/O and storage devices, including a hard disk drive, video monitor, mouse and keyboard. The SBCs do not contain such devices. Rather, the SBCs are managed using a single GUI utility generated by through the host computer; and the SBCs use one or more partitioned portions of the host computer's hard disk drive as storage. Images may be swapped on and off the SBCs rapidly to reconfigure their respective “personalities”.

Abstract: A computer system comprises plural single board computers that utilized shared physical storage. The computers boot from and run applications located remotely. In a preferred embodiment, a hierarchy of such computers is utilized, and the order in which they boot is set such that an optimum sequence is achieved. The computer bus serves as both a network for intercomputer communications, and a bus for intra computer communications.