Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a Process Descriptor to obtain an identity of an entity controlling resources of a plurality of computer systems linked via a network which access a common set of network file systems. Via a process abstraction, the Process Descriptor allows a user to describe a run-time configuration for a process to be run with the entity. The entity instantiates an instance for the process of the first application according to the first run-time configuration. For each process described by the process abstraction, the process' run-time configuration includes one or more unique network address associated with the process and network file systems, from the common set of network file systems, accessible by the process. By associating a unique network address with the process, communication with that process' instance is available wherever the instance is executing within the entity.