Abstract: A method for automating provisioning of services in a target computer system. The method includes providing a set of provisioning adaptors each defining an interface to a provisioning application and receiving a provisioning request from a user interface. The method further includes identifying one of the provisioning applications for completing a provisioning operation based on the received provisioning request, and then, invoking the identified one of the provisioning applications using one of the interfaces defined by one of the provisioning adaptors associated with the provisioning tool or application. The method includes providing agents on the components of the target computer system collecting configuration regarding the components from the provisioning agents, and using the collected data during identifying provisioning applications and invoking the identified applications.

Abstract: A method, and corresponding system, for managing a service delivery network. The method includes steps to add a service to the network including receiving a request for a new service, such as a service provided by a service application. The request is processed to identify resources within the service delivery network for providing the new service including a host for running the service application. A container is provided on the host and is configured to encapsulate the service application. The method continues with establishing membership of the container in a virtual local access network, which includes configuring the container for data packet communications utilizing VLAN tagging.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering services in a secure manner is disclosed. The system includes a network that delivers services to end users. The network includes a service module that supports a service. The service module can deliver more than one service. The network also includes a load balancing switch to provide a virtual internet protocol address for the service. A data packet enclosing a request for the service is routed by the load balancing switch. The network also includes a distribution module coupled to the service module and routes the data packet to the load balancing switch. The network also includes a security module to determine if the data packet is authorized for the virtual internet protocol address. If so, then the service is provided to the end user. If not, security measures are taken to deny the end user access to the services.

Abstract: A service delivery network is disclosed for delivering a plurality of services to users on a network. The service delivery network includes a service module having one or more service domains. Each service domain supports a service to be delivered to the users. The service module also includes a load balancing switch to access the service module and the service domains in response to a request or data packet for the service. The service delivery network can have additional service modules to support other services. The service delivery network also includes a distribution module to route communications within the service delivery network. The load balancing switch routes the packet according to a virtual internet protocol address that corresponds to the service domain.