Abstract: Encryption of virtual disc image is accomplished by increasing the size of a virtual disc to support the inclusion of a master boot record and a decryption program. Encrypting portions of a virtual disc image on the virtual disc, but leaving the boot record and decryption program unencrypted and accessible, where the decryption program will decrypt the encrypted portions if the appropriate cryptographic key is supplied. Subsequent decryption is accomplished by initiating a boot sequence through the master boot record, receiving the appropriate cryptographic key, appropriately ordering the decrypted disc image.

Abstract: Encryption of virtual disc image is accomplished by increasing the size of a virtual disc to support the inclusion of a master boot record and a decryption program. Encrypting portions of a virtual disc image on the virtual disc, but leaving the boot record and decryption program unencrypted and accessible, where the decryption program will decrypt the encrypted portions if the appropriate cryptographic key is supplied. Subsequent decryption is accomplished by initiating a boot sequence through the master boot record, receiving the appropriate cryptographic key, appropriately ordering the decrypted disc image.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium containing machine executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to encrypt a virtual disc; wherein the virtual disc comprises a virtual disc image; and wherein execution of the machine executable instructions cause the processor to: receive the virtual disc; increase the size of the virtual disc; write a decryption-master-boot-record and a decryption program to the virtual disc; encrypt at least a portion of the virtual disc image, wherein the decryption program comprises decryption-machine-executable-instructions for decrypting the at least partially encrypted virtual disc image in accordance with a cryptographic key.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium containing machine executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to encrypt a virtual disc; wherein the virtual disc comprises a virtual disc image; and wherein execution of the machine executable instructions cause the processor to: receive the virtual disc; increase the size of the virtual disc; write a decryption-master-boot-record and a decryption program to the virtual disc; encrypt at least a portion of the virtual disc image, wherein the decryption program comprises decryption-machine-executable-instructions for decrypting the at least partially encrypted virtual disc image in accordance with a cryptographic key.

Abstract: Migrating a data-processing entity from a source software image installed on a mass memory of the data-processing entity to a target software image stored on an external source. A portion of mass memory is released. Memory blocks stored in boot locations of the target software image are relocated to the released portion, including memory blocks required to boot the data-processing entity to load a streaming function for downloading the target software image from the external source. The data-processing entity is booted from the boot blocks, thereby loading the streaming function. Each request for reading a selected memory block of the target software image is served by the streaming function, which downloads the selected memory block from the external source and stores it into the released portion when the selected memory block is not available in the mass memory, or retrieves the selected memory block from the mass memory.

Abstract: Migrating a data-processing entity from a source software image installed on a mass memory of the data-processing entity to a target software image stored on an external source. A portion of mass memory is released. Memory blocks stored in boot locations of the target software image are relocated to the released portion, including memory blocks required to boot the data-processing entity to load a streaming function for downloading the target software image from the external source. The data-processing entity is booted from the boot blocks, thereby loading the streaming function. Each request for reading a selected memory block of the target software image is served by the streaming function, which downloads the selected memory block from the external source and stores it into the released portion when the selected memory block is not available in the mass memory, or retrieves the selected memory block from the mass memory.

Abstract: A data processing entity that includes a mass memory with a plurality of memory locations for storing memory blocks. Each of a plurality of software images includes a plurality of memory blocks with corresponding image addresses within the software image. The memory blocks of software images stored in boot locations of a current software image are relocated. The boot blocks of the current software image are stored into the corresponding boot locations. The data processing entity is booted from the boot blocks of the current software image in the corresponding boot locations, thereby loading the access function. Each request to access a selected memory block of the current software image is served by the access function, with the access function accessing the selected memory block in the associated memory location provided by the control structure.

Abstract: Releasing a portion of mass memory, relocating memory blocks stored in boot locations of the target software image to the released portion, storing the boot blocks into corresponding boot locations, booting the data-processing entity from the boot blocks in the corresponding boot locations thereby loading a streaming function, and serving each request of reading a selected memory block of the target software image by the streaming function, the streaming function downloading the selected memory block from the external source and storing the selected memory block into the released portion when the selected memory block is not available in the mass memory, or retrieving the selected memory block from the mass memory otherwise.

Abstract: A data processing entity that includes a mass memory with a plurality of memory locations for storing memory blocks. Each of a plurality of software images includes a plurality of memory blocks with corresponding image addresses within the software image. The memory blocks of software images stored in boot locations of a current software image are relocated. The boot blocks of the current software image are stored into the corresponding boot locations. The data processing entity is booted from the boot blocks of the current software image in the corresponding boot locations, thereby loading the access function. Each request to access a selected memory block of the current software image is served by the access function, with the access function accessing the selected memory block in the associated memory location provided by the control structure.

Abstract: Releasing a portion of mass memory, relocating memory blocks stored in boot locations of the target software image to the released portion, storing the boot blocks into corresponding boot locations, booting the data-processing entity from the boot blocks in the corresponding boot locations thereby loading a streaming function, and serving each request of reading a selected memory block of the target software image by the streaming function, the streaming function downloading the selected memory block from the external source and storing the selected memory block into the released portion when the selected memory block is not available in the mass memory, or retrieving the selected memory block from the mass memory otherwise.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium containing machine executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to encrypt a virtual disc; wherein the virtual disc comprises a virtual disc image; and wherein execution of the machine executable instructions cause the processor to: receive the virtual disc; increase the size of the virtual disc; write a decryption-master-boot-record and a decryption program to the virtual disc; encrypt at least a portion of the virtual disc image, wherein the decryption program comprises decryption-machine-executable-instructions for decrypting the at least partially encrypted virtual disc image in accordance with a cryptographic key.

Abstract: A data processing entity that includes a mass memory with a plurality of memory locations for storing memory blocks. Each of a plurality of software images includes a plurality of memory blocks with corresponding image addresses within the software image. The memory blocks of software images stored in boot locations of a current software image are relocated. The boot blocks of the current software image are stored into the corresponding boot locations. The data processing entity is booted from the boot blocks of the current software image in the corresponding boot locations, thereby loading the access function. Each request to access a selected memory block of the current software image is served by the access function, with the access function accessing the selected memory block in the associated memory location provided by the control structure.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing multiple software images in a data processing entity. At least part of the memory blocks of each of the software images is stored into a corresponding image portion of a mass memory. A current software image stored in a current image is selected. The memory blocks stored in boot locations of the current software image are relocated to a relocation portion of the mass memory. The boot blocks of the current software image are copied into the corresponding boot location. The data processing entity is booted from the boot blocks of the current software image in the corresponding boot locations and each request to access a selected memory block of the current software image by the access function is served.