Abstract: Data associated with a function instance corresponding to a resource on one computer system is published for use on another computer system. A function instance is created on the other computer system using the published data.

Abstract: Data associated with a function instance corresponding to a resource on one computer system is published for use on another computer system. A function instance is created on the other computer system using the published data.

Abstract: A function instance associated with a resource specifies one or more interfaces for accessing the resource. The function instance further includes functionality to return an entity operable to implement the specified interface.

Abstract: In response to receiving a request for function instances, underlying function instances are identified using API layer data. The requested function instances are then created based on the underlying function instances.

Abstract: A request is received for one or more function instances. The request specifies a resource category. A resource provider is selected from a plurality of resource providers based on the resource category. One or more function instances are created by the selected resource provider to satisfy the request. Each of the created function instance is associated with a resource and specifies resource metadata and activation data.

Abstract: An input including information specifying criteria for selecting computer resources is processed to produce an output comprising one or more function instances associated with computer resources satisfying the criteria. Included in each of the one or more function instances are metadata and information that specifies a mechanism for accessing a computer resource associated with the function instance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for configuring and managing network devices. The arrival (and departure) of devices on a network can be detected by a monitor. Upon detection, network devices can be simply and dynamically configured with little or no end-user intervention, for instance by automatically loading device drivers and allocating resources for the devices. Furthermore, network devices can be associated with other network devices such as a personal computer to facilitate seamless integration of network devices with a computer operating system.

Abstract: A distributed media session is described, which when executed, resolves a distributed topology from a request to stream data from a source device to a client device over a network. The distributed topology references a plurality of software components that, when executed, fulfill the request. At least one of the plurality of software components is executable on each of the source device and the client device.