Abstract: A hierarchical tree of nodes for layered images may be maintained. The hierarchical tree may include paths that each includes nodes representing layered images for a virtual machine. A request indicating a child component may be received. A subset of the paths of the hierarchical tree may be identified where each of the subset of the paths includes a child node representing the child component, one or more intermediary nodes representing layered images of intermediary components, and a root node. A path, from the subset of paths, with fewer nodes representing layered images that are not present in a storage of a machine may be selected. Furthermore, the layered images that are not present in the storage of the machine may be provided to the machine to instantiate a virtual machine to execute the child component.

Abstract: Implementations of using script descriptions to encode conditional statements are disclosed. A method of an implementation of the disclosure includes retrieving a description string associated with an executable script. The method also includes generating, in view of the description string, a conditional statement specifying an action to be performed. The method further includes using the conditional statement to control execution of the executable script.

Abstract: A hierarchical tree of nodes for layered images may be maintained. The hierarchical tree may include paths that each includes nodes representing layered images for a virtual machine. A request indicating a child component may be received. A subset of the paths of the hierarchical tree may be identified where each of the subset of the paths includes a child node representing the child component, one or more intermediary nodes representing layered images of intermediary components, and a root node. A path, from the subset of paths, with fewer nodes representing layered images that are not present in a storage of a machine may be selected. Furthermore, the layered images that are not present in the storage of the machine may be provided to the machine to instantiate a virtual machine to execute the child component.

Abstract: A provisioning server receives a reserve command with a set of criteria and searches for a host matching the criteria. Upon finding such a host, the provisioning server reserves the host for performing a virtualization test. Upon receiving or generating a release command, the provisioning server releases the host.

Abstract: Implementations of using script descriptions to encode conditional statements are disclosed. A method of an implementation of the disclosure includes retrieving a description string associated with an executable script. The method also includes generating, in view of the description string, a conditional statement specifying an action to be performed. The method further includes using the conditional statement to control execution of the executable script.

Abstract: A provisioning server receives a reserve command with a set of criteria and searches for a host matching the criteria. Upon finding such a host, the provisioning server reserves the host for performing a virtualization test. Upon receiving or generating a release command, the provisioning server releases the host.