Abstract: A system for automated management of virtual resources in a cloud computing environment includes a host computing device communication component and a storage system communication component. The storage system communication component is executed by a storage delivery management service, communicates with a storage system adapter in a storage area network to identify a storage system in a storage area network, and directs the automated provisioning of a virtual storage resource on the identified storage system, the storage system providing resources for provisioning the virtual drive. The host computing device communication component receives a request for access by a host computing device to the virtual storage resource, and responds, to the host computing device, with an identification of a network port of the identified storage system and an identification of the provisioned virtual storage resource.

Abstract: A method for the operation of network management systems, according to which values of attributes relating to an element are presented to a first manager and values of attributes relating to an element, which correspond to the values of the first manager, are presented to a second manager. The first and second manager determine the same identification information according to the same rule and using at least some of the values as well as store said identification information independently from a modification of the values of attributes relating to the respective element. The identification information is used during communication between the first manager and the second manager for identifying the element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling network communication I/O operations to virtual machines. An example method may include: identifying a network packet destined for a virtual process controlled by a guest operating system, identifying a memory location corresponding to a virtual memory location utilized by the virtual process, and copying data from the network packet into the memory location corresponding to the virtual memory location. Another example method may include: retrieving, from a first memory location, data to be included in a network packet, wherein the first memory location corresponds to a virtual memory location utilized by a virtual process controlled by a guest operating system, retrieve, from a second memory location, a header to be included in the network packet, wherein the second memory location corresponds to a kernel buffer location of the guest operating system, and combining the header and the data to form the network packet.

Abstract: A method for data transfer includes receiving in an input/output (I/O) operation a first segment of data to be written to a specified virtual address in a host memory. Upon receiving the first segment of the data, it is detected that a first page that contains the specified virtual address is swapped out of the host memory. At least one second page of the host memory is identified, to which a second segment of the data is expected to be written. Responsively to detecting that the first page is swapped out and to identifying the at least one second page, at least the first and second pages are swapped into the host memory. After swapping at least the first and second pages into the host memory, the data are written to the first and second pages.

Abstract: A user of a device has an account with a service that stores copies of common data that is automatically made available to any of the user's devices and also stores copies of device-specific data that is available to the user on particular user-selected devices but is not automatically made available to all of the user's devices. A set of backed up devices can be displayed to the user of a particular device with various information describing the devices to facilitate user selection of a device, such as a visual representation of the type of the device that was backed up, a visual representation of a desktop or start screen display of the device that was backed up, and so forth. The user can select one of the displayed devices, and in response have the backed up device-specific data for the selected device copied to the particular device.

Abstract: To migrate a virtual machine from a first physical machine to a second physical machine over a network, execution of the virtual machine in the first physical machine is stopped, where the first physical machine contains data associated with the virtual machine. State information of the virtual machine is copied from the first physical machine to the second physical machine, and execution of the virtual machine is started on the second physical machine based on the copied state information.

Abstract: An example portable information processing apparatus is configured to selectively execute one or more application programs and includes a memory storing first data associated with an application program executed by the information processing apparatus. A communication unit is configured for wireless communication and a data transmission/reception control unit is configured to transmit the first data for use by an application program which is executed by another information processing apparatus and with which the first data is associated and/or to receive second data, originating from another information processing apparatus, for use by an application program which is executed by the information processing apparatus and with which the second data is associated. The first data is transmitted and/or the second data is received regardless of an execution state on the information processing apparatus of any application program with which the first and second data are associated.

Abstract: There is provided a field programmable gate array (FPGA) mounted apparatus included in a first node of a plurality of nodes connected on a network, the FPGA mounted housing apparatus including a printed circuit board (PCB) on which an FPGA is mounted, and a controller configured to issue a request to acquire configuration data of the FPGA to a second node of the plurality of nodes, and configure the FPGA based on the configuration data acquired from the second node in response to the request.

Abstract: A Network Reporting Entity (NRE) and a User Equipment (UE) as well as a respective method therein for use in a wireless communication network for enabling controlling data transfer between the UE and a network cache are provided. The NRE receives, from the UE, a request to start reporting network status and transmits, to the UE, information regarding the status of the network, the information pertaining to whether network condition is in a state where a data transfer is preferred or not, wherein the NRE obtains the information regarding the status of the network from the Network Conditions Information Entity (NCIE). In this manner, the UE is enabled to control the data transfer between the UE and the network cache.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for providing resource authorization to users of a distributed memory store (e.g., a distributed web-based cloud service). A session ID that identifies a location of an authorization document in a distributed memory store is used to access the authorization document, which comprises a global section with a principal ID related to a user. The user can be authorized to utilize a resource (e.g., in a distributed cloud service) if a resource section is present for the principal ID in the authorization document, and has appropriate resource data for the resource. If the resource section is not present, it can be created in the authorization document, and identified by a resource identifier. Authorization data can be loaded into the newly created resource section, and the authorization document, with the global and resource sections, is saved to a local cache for the distributed memory store.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include methods and systems for use in delivering resources to a client device over a local network. An exemplary system comprises a plurality of caching devices operable to cache resources on behalf of a plurality of content providers, and a local caching device communicatively situated between an access network and the client device, wherein the access network is communicably situated between the plurality of caching devices and the local caching device. The local caching device is operable to retrieve a requested resource from at least one of the plurality of caching devices, deliver the requested resource to the client device over the local network, and store the requested resource for future requests by other client devices.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing sharing of content relating to an event. Detection of a plurality of mobile communication devices within a predetermined location is performed. An event is identified corresponding to the predetermined location and a current time. The mobile communication devices are notified to enable exchange of content about the event. The content is received from one or more of the mobile communication devices, wherein the content is accessible by the mobile communication devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for browsing offline and queried content are presented herein. Specifically, embodiments may receive a request for content from a mobile application. Embodiments may also determine whether the requested content is in a cache associated with the mobile application. If it is determined that the content is not in the cache, embodiments may deliver the requested content to the mobile application.

Abstract: A network interface device (NID) or management access point of a system is configured to: receive requests to register one or more additional capabilities provided by a second intelligent device integrated into the system; in response to the request, register the additional capabilities within a capabilities listing; advertise the additional capabilities as being an available within the system; and respond to a request from an external requestor for access to one of the additional capabilities by forwarding the management protocol and payload to the second intelligent device to enable the second intelligent device to perform all substantive processing required for the request. The NID establishes and maintains a network session between the second intelligent device and any external requestor requesting access to the additional capabilities. In response to receiving a response from the second intelligent device, the NID packages the response and forwards the response to the external requestor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes obtaining information characterizing a level of actual usage of a first item of content; based on the obtained information, determining whether a re-provisioning condition is satisfied and if so, generating a specification of a re-provisioning operation to be executed in association with the resources of a storage environment; and executing the re-provisioning operation. The first item of content is stored on a first set of elements of resources of the storage environment according to a first resource allocation arrangement. The re-provisioning operation includes identifying a second resource allocation arrangement for storing the first item of content; and allocating a second set of elements of the resources of the storage environment according to the second resource allocation arrangement.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a first MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral), a second MFP, and an operation panel. The operation panel is attachable to and removable from each of the first and second MFPs. The first MFP accepts a job. The operation panel includes a storage unit for storing information held by the first MFP and a display unit for displaying information about the job accepted by the first MFP. The second MFP executes the job accepted by the first MFP based on the information stored in the storage unit of the operation panel when the operation panel is removed from the first MFP and attached to the second MFP.

Abstract: A system and method for recording, uploading, and archiving video recordings, including a front-end and a back-end application. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a front-end application wherein video is recorded using a mobile device. The recorded video is embedded with date, time and GPS location data. The video is stored on an online back-end database which catalogs the video according to the embedded data elements. The video may be selectively reviewed by relevant experts or emergency personnel for immediate response to the uploaded video and/or distribution to the proper parties. The video may also be archived for later review and use by any number of end-users.

Abstract: Remote direct memory access (‘RDMA’) in a parallel computer, the parallel computer including a plurality of nodes, each node including a messaging unit, including: receiving an RDMA read operation request that includes a virtual address representing a memory region at which to receive data to be transferred from a second node to the first node; responsive to the RDMA read operation request: translating the virtual address to a physical address; creating a local RDMA object that includes a counter set to the size of the memory region; sending a message that includes an DMA write operation request, the physical address of the memory region on the first node, the physical address of the local RDMA object on the first node, and a remote virtual address on the second node; and receiving the data to be transferred from the second node.

Abstract: Methods and systems to intelligently cache content in a virtualization environment using virtualization software such as VMWare ESX or Citrix XenServer or Microsoft HyperV or Redhat KVM or their variants are disclosed. Storage IO operations (reads from and writes to disk) are analyzed (or characterized) for their overall value and pinned to cache if their value exceeds a certain defined threshold based on criteria specific to the New Technology File System (NTFS) file-system. Analysis/characterization of NTFS file systems for intelligent dynamic caching include analyzing storage block data associated with a Virtual Machine of interest in accordance with a pre-determined data model to determine the value of the block under analysis for long term or short term caching. Integer values assigned to different types of NTFS objects in a white list data structure called a catalog that can be used to analyze the storage block data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing HTTP header is provided. The method may include receiving a suppression identifier list, wherein the suppression identifier list associates header identifier values with at least a portion of one or more header content items in an HTTP header, replacing the one or more header content items with the corresponding header field identifier from the suppression identifier list, and transmitting the data packet with the one or more header field identifiers replacing the corresponding one or more header content items.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, methods and various means, including those related to providing a community internet drive that may utilize a centrally-managed hub as well as storage devices distributed among various networked machines. In some embodiments, the community internet drive can also include features to enable its users to promote and utilize the user's trusted personal relationships while also enabling an open platform for peer-to-peer and/or other types of sharing schemes.

Abstract: A method begins with a processing module receiving a data retrieval request and obtaining a real-time indicator corresponding to when the data retrieval request was received. The method continues with the processing module determining a time-based data access policy based on the data retrieval request and the real-time indicator and accessing a plurality of dispersed storage (DS) units in accordance with the time-based data access policy to retrieve encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module decoding the threshold number of encoded data slices in accordance with an error coding dispersal storage function when a threshold number of the encoded data slices have been retrieved.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide systems and methods for validating cached content based on changes in the content instead of an expiration interval. One method involves caching content and a first checksum in response to a first request for that content. The caching produces a cached instance of the content representative of a form of the content at the time of caching. The first checksum identifies the cached instance. In response to receiving a second request for the content, the method submits a request for a second checksum representing a current instance of the content and a request for the current instance. Upon receiving the second checksum, the method serves the cached instance of the content when the first checksum matches the second checksum and serves the current instance of the content upon completion of the transfer of the current instance when the first checksum does not match the second checksum.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for interconnecting devices. A switch fabric is in communication with a plurality of electronic devices. A rendezvous memory is in communication with the switch fabric. Data is transferred to the rendezvous memory from a first electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices in response to a determination that the data is ready for output from a memory at the first electronic device and in response to a location allocated in the rendezvous memory for the data.

Abstract: Web-based email methods and systems for downloading emails from an email service provider's servers to a user's local system and/or other local storage medium are provided. The user can select the emails to download and the systems and methods can retrieve the selected emails from storage. The text of the emails can be reformatted into a text file. The systems and methods can present a web page to the user from which the email text file can be downloaded. The web page can include attachments to the emails. The text files can be concatenated into a one or more text files and the attachments can be compressed into one or more files. Optionally, the text file(s) and the compressed file(s) can be emailed to an alternate email address. Optionally, the email text and attachments can be formatted for viewing by a local email client.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling a card reader. The control unit includes an authentication management unit for transmitting/receiving information to/from a host and each of a first encryption magnetic head device and a second encryption magnetic head device to mutually authenticate each other. The authentication management unit includes (1) a commanding means for commanding one of the first encryption magnetic head device and the second encryption magnetic head device to create lower-level information for authentication, according to a request on authentication from the host, (2) a sharing means for transmitting the lower-level information for authentication received from the above-mentioned one device to the other device for the purpose of sharing it and (3) a transmission means for transmitting the lower-level information for authentication, having been shared in all of the first encryption magnetic head device and the second encryption magnetic head device, to the host.

Abstract: The present application is directed towards ASDR table contract renewal. In some embodiments, a core may cache an ASDR table entry received from an owner core such that when the entry is needed again the core does not need to re-request the entry from the owner core. As storing a cached copy of the entry allows the non-owner core to use an ASDR table entry without requesting the entry from the owner core, the owner core may be unaware of an ASDR table entry's use by a non-owner core. To ensure the owner core keeps the ASDR table entry alive, which the non-owner core has cached, the non-owner core may perform contract renewal for each of its recently used cached entries. The contract renewal method may include sending a message to the owner core that indicates which cached ASDR table entries the non-owner core has recently used or accessed. Responsive to receiving the message the owner core may reset a timeout period associated with the ASDR table entry.

Abstract: A storage method and system where the storage system includes a plurality of servers and a control server configured to select a storage area available to be used by each of the servers from among storage areas of a group of storage devices sharable among the plurality of servers. The system includes, a detecting unit configured to detect an available capacity of a specified storage device other than the storage group, where the specified storage device is designated for use only by a specified server selected from among the servers, a specifying unit configured to specify an available area corresponding to the available capacity detected from the specified storage device through the detecting unit, and a setting unit configured to set the specified available area to a shared storage area that is available to be shared among the server.

Abstract: The instant disclosure describes embodiments of a system and method for migrating virtual machine (VM)-specific content cached in a solid state drive (SSD) attached to an original host. During operation, the original host receives event indicating an upcoming migration of a VM to a destination host. In response, the original host transmits a set of metadata associated with the SSD cache to the destination host. The metadata indicates a number of data blocks stored in the SSD cache, thereby allowing the destination host to pre-fetch data blocks specified in the metadata from a storage shared by the original host and the destination host. Subsequently, the original host receives a power-off event for the VM, and transmits a dirty block list to the destination. The dirty block list specifies one or more data blocks that have changed since the transmission of the metadata.

Abstract: A method and system for enforcing resource quotas in cloud storage systems are provided. The method comprises receiving a request to write an object to a target folder of a tenant, wherein the tenant is initially configured with a tenant quota limit and each of a plurality of folders of the tenant initially is configured with a folder quota limit, wherein the tenant quota limit is then dynamically allocated to the plurality of folders of the tenant; determining whether the folder quota limit of the target folder of the tenant is sufficient for storage of the object; upon determining that the folder quota limit of the target folder is sufficient, increasing a folder quota usage of the target folder by a delta value; and storing the object in the target folder.

Abstract: A method for dynamically switching between communications protocols used in communicating with each of a plurality of physical computing devices includes configuring, by a storage delivery management service, a storage system in a storage area network, to communicate, according to a first communications protocol with a first physical computing device executing a virtual machine, the storage system providing, to the virtual machine, access to a virtual storage resource. The storage delivery management service receives a request to migrate the virtual machine from the first physical computing device to a second physical computing device. The storage delivery management service configures the storage system to communicate with the second physical computing device according to a second communications protocol. The storage delivery management service transmits, to the second physical computing device, an identification of the storage system providing access to the virtual storage resource for the virtual machine.

Abstract: A cloud management system can be configured to monitor and allocate resources of a cloud computing environment. The cloud management system can be configured to receive a request to instantiate a virtual machine. In order to instantiate the virtual machine, the cloud management system can be configured to determine the current resource usage and available resources of the cloud in order to allocate resources to the requested virtual machine. The cloud management system can be configured to scale the resources of the cloud in the event that resources are not available for a requested virtual machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing data storage operations, including content-indexing, containerized deduplication, and policy-driven storage, within a cloud environment. The systems support a variety of clients and cloud storage sites that may connect to the system in a cloud environment that requires data transfer over wide area networks, such as the Internet, which may have appreciable latency and/or packet loss, using various network protocols, including HTTP and FTP. Methods are disclosed for content indexing data stored within a cloud environment to facilitate later searching, including collaborative searching. Methods are also disclosed for performing containerized deduplication to reduce the strain on a system namespace, effectuate cost savings, etc. Methods are disclosed for identifying suitable storage locations, including suitable cloud storage sites, for data files subject to a storage policy.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for simplified resource-sharing with electronic devices are provided. For example, a method for using at least one resource of a variety of electronic devices from another electronic device may include receiving resource-sharing information associated with a resource-sharing electronic device via near field communication, determining a resource-sharing scheme for using the resources of the resource-sharing electronic device based on the resource-sharing information, and sharing at least one resource of the resource-sharing electronic device using the determined resource-sharing scheme. The resource-sharing information may be received from a near field communication interface of the resource-sharing electronic device or from a radio frequency identification tag associated with the resource-sharing electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to dynamically adapting metadata for use with a native data encoding and to efficiently modifying object model type references. In one scenario, a computer system instantiates a metadata reader over an object model description to access various portions of metadata in the object model description. The metadata reader is configured to read native metadata, where native metadata is metadata represented in an encoding that is expected by the metadata reader. The metadata reader determines that the accessed metadata is encoded in a non-native encoding and then determines which metadata modifications are to be performed to transform the non-native encoding into a native encoding. The computer system then dynamically adapts the metadata of the object model from a non-native encoding to a native encoding according to the determined modifications. As such, the object model is readable by a native runtime.

Abstract: Methods and systems associated with personal cloud computing (PCC) are disclosed herewith. In embodiments, a method may include receiving, by a PCC client device, a message from a PCC server. The message may include information for migrating a session of an application executing on another PCC client device off the other client device. In response, an application may be launched, by the client device, to migrate the session onto the client device, using the information included in the message. In embodiments, a PCC server may be configured to receive a request from a PCC client device to migrate a session of an application executing on the client device off the client device; and in response, to send a message to another PCC client device equipped to launch an application on the other client device to migrate the session onto the other client device. The message may include information for the migration. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for searching and processing contacts. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile communication device (MCD) (116) has a transceiver (202), and a controller (212) for controlling operations thereof. The controller is programmed to receive (302) from an end user of the MCD a request for a contact, and search (304) for the contact in a phonebook of the MCD. If the entry cannot be found in the MCD, the controller is programmed to search (318) for the contact in a phonebook of a local communication device (LCD). If the contact cannot be found in the LCD, the controller is programmed to search (330) for the contact in a directory of an enterprise server. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method can support different message queues in a transactional middleware machine environment. The transactional middleware machine environment includes an advertized table that comprises a first queue table and a second queue table, with the first queue table storing address information for a first message queue and the second queue table storing address information for a second message queue. The advertized table is further adaptive to be used by a first transactional client to locate a transactional service provided by a transactional server. The first transactional client operates to look up the first queue table for a key that indicates the address information of the transactional service that is stored in the second queue table.

Abstract: Procedures and systems may be used for assigning data partitions to data-processing host computers, for example, to initially assign data partitions at the outset of a large data-processing job or during failover measures taken in response to a failed host in a share-nothing database management system (SN-DBMS). In one implementation, a method of managing exclusive access to a data partition within a database system assesses a first host and a second host that have exclusive access to a first and second data partition, respectively, within a database system. The method assigns exclusive access of the data partition to one of the first and second hosts based on factors that may include the processing powers of first and second the hosts, and on processing requirements (such as data quantity and data criticalness) for data on the first and second data partitions.

Abstract: A method and system for managing cloud consumption including accessing a set of aggregate usage history data for a set of users each operating a set of machines consuming a set of resources in a host cloud, generating a set of variable consumption periods over which the consumption of the set of resources will be tracked for the set of users on a combined basis, identifying a set of subscription margins for a resource in the set of resources based on a comparison of the consumption of the resource to a resource subscription limit for the set of users on a combined basis over the set of variable consumption periods, generating a set of marginal consumption values for the set of users for a resource for the set of variable consumption periods in the host cloud, and generating a management action based on the marginal consumption value.

Abstract: A storage controller is implemented for controlling a storage system. The storage controller may be implemented using a distributed computer system and may include components for servicing client data requests based on the characteristics of the distributed computer system, the client, or the data requests. The storage controller is scalable independently of the storage system it controls. All components of the storage controller, as well as the client, may be virtual or hardware-based instances of a distributed computer system.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for managing subscribed resource limits in a cloud network using variable or instantaneous consumption tracking periods. A set of aggregate usage history data can record consumption of processor, memory, software, or other resources subscribed to by a user across multiple host clouds. An entitlement engine can analyze the usage history data to identify a subscription margin for the subscribed resources, reflecting under or over-consumption of cloud resources against subscription limits across multiple clouds. The entitlement engine can by default track the short-term subscription margin for one or multiple resources each hour of a day, and/or over other intervals. The entitlement engine can also generate a set of variable consumption periods over which to track the user's resource consumption, based on trends or conditions demonstrated in that consumption pattern.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods providing event- or condition-based notifications of device mirroring responsive to one or more of changes in the physical or internal environments of a computing device, for example a mobile computing device. Moreover, some implementations may include stopping or suspending device mirroring responsive to the same. A change in the physical environment of a computing device may be determined from a change in a signal received at the device, for example a network connection signal, IR signal, or ambient light or noise level. A change in physical environment may also be determined based on a change in location or orientation of the computing device. A change in the internal environment of the computing device may include a change in the active application at the device, or a change in focus to a new application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may provision a new computer code file as an update or a new application for end nodes of a cloud computing system. The method and apparatus may receive a computer code file at a repository server via a portal interface to an automation service. The computer code file may include a discrete file or package of files corresponding to a complete application or an update for an application for execution on cloud computing system nodes. The method and apparatus may also receive provisioning conditions at the automation service via the portal interface, send the computer code file to the cloud computing system end nodes based on the received provisioning conditions, and cause the sent computer code file to be installed on each of the plurality of cloud computing system end nodes.

Abstract: The present application teaches a special kind of filesystem and/or connection for a computer device and especially for a computer device of the type which includes reduced resource capability.

Abstract: In an e-mail receiving apparatus, a user management table arranged to include each combination of a user ID that is used for identifying a plurality of users and a unique ID that is newly set each time a new user is registered in an S/MIME gateway apparatus. A received e-mail management table is arranged to include a plurality of records each indicating an association relation between each e-mail received from an e-mail server apparatus, and the user ID and the unique ID of a destination user of the corresponding e-mail. A main control unit is arranged to read out each record of the received e-mail management table, determine whether or not the unique ID related to the read-out record is in the user management table, and delete the read-out record from the received e-mail management table when the unique ID is not in the user management table. Accordingly, a system is provided in which, when a registration of a user of a distribution destination is deleted, received e-mails are properly processed.

Abstract: A method and system to exchange information between computer applications are provided. The system may include a source operating system, a destination operating system and an offload stack, all residing on the device. The source operating system and the destination operating system appear to users as distinct network entities. The offload stack may be configured to function as an intermediate network device for the source operating system. The offload stack, in one embodiment, comprises a back end to receive a message from the source operating system to the destination operating system, an analyzer to determine that the destination operating system resides on the device and a cut though socket module to process the message such that a network layer of the offload stack is bypassed.

Abstract: A system and method for clients, a control module, and storage modules to participate in a unifed address space in order to and read and write data efficiently using direct-memory access. The method for reading data includes determining a first location in a first memory to write a first copy of the data, a second location in a second memory to write a second copy of the data, where the first memory is located in a first storage module including a first persistent storage and the second memory is located in a second storage module including a second persistent storage. The method further includes programming a direct memory access engine to read the data from the client memory and issue a first write request to a multicast address, where the first location, the second location, and a third location are associated with the multicast address.

Abstract: An application services platform includes a platform chassis, a network interface supported by the platform chassis, and a control circuit supported by the platform chassis and coupled to the network interface. The control circuit is arranged to connect to a network through the network interface, and receive an application service command from a user. The application service command gives the control circuit permission to provide an application service to an application running on a server on the network. The control circuit is further arranged to provide the application service to the application running on the server on the network in response to receipt of the application service command. The application services platform is capable of being provided in the form of an appliance-style device which is simply added as a new device on the network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an automated network-attached storage (NAS) management system in a cloud computing environment. Specifically, a server communicates with network storage clients via a network connection. The network storage clients comprise a unified storage zone for storing data. At least part of the unified storage zone is allocated to a site as site data. A virtual desktop interface (VDI) is used by a user client device to interact with management services. A management services layer provides the management services for the user client device by using requests from the user client device to perform operations relating to the management of the site data.