Abstract: A computer system (10) for providing virtual computers includes a pool facility (38) for storing a pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) based on at least one virtual computer template (44). A provision manager (32) provides a series (46) of virtual computers (18) as a result of a series (50) of system logon requests by a user (54). The provision manager (32) includes an update facility (100), a resume facility (102) and a customization facility (104). The update facility (104) is provided for updating one or each at least one virtual computer template (44). The resume facility (102) is provided for resuming virtual computers from the pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) provided by the pool facility (38). The customization facility (104) is provided for customizing virtual computers after being resumed from the pool (40) to provide active virtual computers.

Abstract: Described is a computer system for providing virtual computers. The computer system includes a pool facility for storing a pool of suspended virtual computers based on at least one virtual computer template. The computer system includes a provision manager for ensuring that a series of system logon requests results in the user being provided with a series of virtual computers that reflect applied updates. The provision manager includes an update facility, a resume facility and a customization facility. The update facility regularly applies updates to the virtual computer template to ensure that each virtual computer reflects the updates. The resume facility resumes suspended virtual computers provided by the pool facility. The customization facility customizes each virtual computer for the particular user after the virtual computer is resumed from the pool of suspended virtual computers, the customization including providing the resumed virtual computer with a user data layer.

Abstract: A security device for a local computer, said security device comprising a locked-down system environment that includes a remote-access connector and an authenticator facility. The remote-access connector initiates a remote connection request with a virtual-computer service. The authenticator facility provides first authentication-data to the remote-access connector for ensuring that the security device has permission to be allocated a virtual computer from the virtual-computer service.

Abstract: A computer system (10) for providing virtual computers includes a pool facility (38) for storing a pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) based on at least one virtual computer template (44). A provision manager (32) provides a series (46) of virtual computers (18) as a result of a series (50) of system logon requests by a user (54). The provision manager (32) includes an update facility (100), a resume facility (102) and a customization facility (104). The update facility (104) is provided for updating the or each at least one virtual computer template (44). The resume facility (102) is provided for resuming virtual computers from the pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) provided by the pool facility (38). The customization facility (104) is provided for customizing virtual computers after being resumed from the pool (40) to provide active virtual computers.

Abstract: A security device for a local computer, said security device comprising a locked-down system environment that includes a remote-access connector and an authenticator facility. The remote-access connector initiates a remote connection request with a virtual-computer service. The authenticator facility provides first authentication-data to the remote-access connector for ensuring that the security device has permission to be allocated a virtual computer from the virtual-computer service.

Abstract: In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a computer system (10) for providing virtual computers. The computer system (10) includes a pool facility (38) for storing a pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) based on at least one virtual computer template (44). A provision manager (32) provides a series (46) of virtual computers (18) as a result of a series (50) of system logon requests by a user (54). The provision manager (32) includes an update facility (100), a resume facility (102) and a customization facility (104). The update facility (104) is provided for updating the or each at least one virtual computer template (44). The resume facility (102) is provided for resuming virtual computers from the pool (40) of suspended virtual computers (42) provided by the pool facility (38). The customization facility (104) is provided for customizing virtual computers after being resumed from the pool (40) to provide active virtual computers.