Virtual environment manager for network computers

Abstract

A system and method for a downladable just-in-time middleware called VEM that provides access to network services, including system services such as printing and local storage, to applications that run on Network Computers. The VEM configures the default client services and stores information about these services. When an application executing on the Network Computer wishes to use one of the services, it communicates with its local VEM. The VEM returns a hanlde to the appropriate service to complete the service request.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
     
     
         19 . A method for providing on-demand access to and interaction with system services to applications executing on a network computer, comprising the steps of: 
 a) in response to a demand from a user, downloading executable code comprising a virtual environment manager for providing access to remote network system and application services;    b) identifying a set of system and application services;    c) configuring the set of system and application services by contacting a plurality of appropriate remote service providers for each particular one of the system and application services and downloading one of client stubs and a handle for each one of the service providers;    d) maintaining a list of configured services; and    e) providing access to the configured services.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  comprising the further step of sharing access to the system services by a plurality of the applications.