Abstract: A method of generating time-coordinated snapshots across virtual machines (VMs) managed by at least one hypervisor executing in at least one host computer is described. The method includes: controlling at least one hypervisor to activate write caches for caching write traffic, generated by the VMs, targeting virtual disks; receiving, from the at least one hypervisor, messages that indicate idle periods in the write traffic; determining a quiescent window in the write traffic across the VMs from the idle periods; controlling the at least one hypervisor to flush the write caches up to a start time of the quiescent window; and controlling the at least one hypervisor to generate snapshots of the VMs.

Abstract: A method of generating time-coordinated snapshots across virtual machines (VMs) managed by at least one hypervisor executing in at least one host computer is described. The method includes: controlling at least one hypervisor to activate write caches for caching write traffic, generated by the VMs, targeting virtual disks; receiving, from the at least one hypervisor, messages that indicate idle periods in the write traffic; determining a quiescent window in the write traffic across the VMs from the idle periods; controlling the at least one hypervisor to flush the write caches up to a start time of the quiescent window; and controlling the at least one hypervisor to generate snapshots of the VMs.

Abstract: A virtual computer classroom (10) that allows an instructor to present a lesson to at least one student over a network (12). The network (12) allows the instructor and the student to be in different locations. The classroom (10) broadly comprises a target device (14) some aspect of which is the subject of the lesson, a remote access device (RAD) (16) for remotely interacting with the target device (14), a view server (18) for connecting the RAD (16) to the network (12), and a presentation server (20) for allowing the instructor to present the lesson to the student over the network (12). The classroom (10) may also include a remote power controller (RPC) (22) for cycling power to the target device (16). The student and the instructor preferably access the classroom (10) using a JAVA enabled browser (24,26).