Abstract: A method for providing access to a computing environment includes the step of receiving, by a broker machine, a request from a client machine for access to a computing environment, the request including an identification of a user of the client machine. One of a plurality of virtual machines is identified, the identified virtual machine providing the requested computing environment. One of a plurality of execution machines is identified, the identified execution machine executing a hypervisor providing access to hardware resources required by the identified virtual machine. A connection is established between the client machine and the identified virtual machine.

Abstract: A method for providing remote access to a computer environment provided by a virtual machine includes the step of receiving authentication information associated with a user of a client machine. Based on the received authentication information, a computer environment provided by a virtualized operating system and already associated with the user is identified. A connection is established between the client machine and the identified computing environment.

Abstract: A method for providing authorized remote access to a computing environment provided by a virtual machine, includes the step of requesting, by a client machine, access to a resource. A collection agent gathers information about the client machine. A policy engine receives the gathered information. The policy engine makes an access control decision based on the received information. A computing environment already associated with the user is identified in response to the received information, the identified computing environment provided by a virtual machine. A broker server establishes, responsive to the access control decision, a connection between the client machine and the identified computing environment.

Abstract: A system for incorporating remote windows from remote desktop environments into a local desktop environment comprises a first virtual channel coupled to a remote desktop environment provided by a virtual machine, a second virtual channel coupled to the remote desktop environment, and a local agent coupled to the remote desktop environment via the first and second virtual channels. The first virtual channel conveys graphical data associated with a remote window provided by the remote desktop environment. The second virtual channel conveys window attribute data associated with the remote window provided by the remote desktop environments. The local agent directs the formation of a local window in the local desktop environment corresponding to the remote window provided by the remote desktop environment, the first local window displaying the graphical data conveyed by the first virtual channel in accordance with the window attribute data conveyed by the second virtual channel.

Abstract: A method for providing access to a computing environment includes the step of receiving a request from a client system for an enumeration of available computing environments. Collected data regarding available computing environments are accessed. Accessed data are transmitted to a client system, the accessed data indicating to the client system each computing environment available to a user of the client system. A request is received from the client system to access one of the computing environments. A connection is established between the client system and a virtual machine hosting the requested computing environment.