Abstract: The embodiments contemplate a system and method for a provisioning, retirement and configuration of virtual machines. A predefined policy may include a desired target state of the virtual machines, as well as an action to initiate in order to reach the desired state. The action may be initiated if the state varies from the desired level by a predetermined amount or percentage over a predetermined period of time. Data from the virtual machines is analyzed to determine if the desired state of the virtual machines is satisfied. The analysis may be continuous or periodic. If it is determined that the desired state is not satisfied, then predefined actions are performed until the desired state is attained. The predefined actions may be the removal or addition of one or more virtual machines or other actions necessary to reach the desired state.

Abstract: A machine's power usage may be managed by a power-management policy. When a program makes a request that involves use of one of the machine's power-consuming devices, the policy may take into account factors such as the program's status, where the status indicates the program's relative level of justification to consume power. A component may intercept a request to use a device before the request reaches the driver, and may deflect requests that, if carried out, are not consistent with power usage policy. Infrastructure supports the use of policies that determine whether a particular device's power state will be changed.

Abstract: The embodiments contemplate a system and method for a restriction of virtual machines for a group of one or more users. A predefined policy may include a restriction related to the group, as well as a measure of enforcement to initiate in the event of a violation of the restriction. The measure of enforcement may include a warning message or denial of resources. The restriction may be resource-based, time-based, machine-based, or a combination. The restriction may be a group-level restriction, in which the entire group actions are monitored, or a user-level restriction, in which the user's actions are monitored. In the event a user is assigned to more than one group, the policies of each group are assigned a priority level. The priority level dictates the restriction as well as the measure of enforcement.

Abstract: A machine's power usage may be managed by a power-management policy. When a program makes a request that involves use of one of the machine's power-consuming devices, the policy may take into account factors such as the program's status, where the status indicates the program's relative level of justification to consume power. A component may intercept a request to use a device before the request reaches the driver, and may deflect requests that, if carried out, are not consistent with power usage policy. Infrastructure supports the use of policies that determine whether a particular device's power state will be changed.