System and method providing a pluggable architecture for task management on computers

Abstract

A system and method retrieve an image using a first computer processor, and transmit the image from the first computer processor to a second remote computer processor. The first computer processor and the second remote computer processor are coupled via a network connection. The image is received at the network connection, and the image is a lightweight operating system that is configured to be stored in and execute in a virtual memory coupled to the second remote computer processor. The second remote computer processor is not equipped with additional hardware or an agent to receive or execute the image.

1 . A process comprising:
 retrieving an image using a first computer processor; and   transmitting the image from the first computer processor to a second remote computer processor;   wherein the first computer processor and the second remote computer processor are coupled via a network connection;   wherein the image is received at the network connection;   wherein the image comprises a lightweight operating system that is configured to be stored in and execute in a virtual memory coupled to the second remote computer processor; and   wherein the second remote computer processor is not equipped with additional hardware or an agent to receive or execute the image.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the image is a boot image that is configured to boot up the second remote computer processor. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , comprising sending a second image from the first computer processor to the second remote computer processor, wherein the second image adds to the lightweight operating system and increases the control that the first computer processor has over the second remote computer processor. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , comprising:
 receiving at the first computer processor data resulting from an execution of the image in the second remote computer processor; and   processing the data in the first computer processor to determine the status and availability of the second computer processor.   
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , comprising:
 transmitting a software application from the first computer processor to the second remote computer processor; and   storing the image in the virtual memory that is coupled to the second remote computer processor;   wherein the image in the virtual memory that is coupled to the second remote computer processor is configured to execute the software application.   
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , comprising creating the image in the first computer processor. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the image causes the second remote computer processor to be secured such that only a single user can use the second remote computer processor. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a first computer processor and a second remote computer processor:   wherein the first computer processor is configured for retrieving an image;   wherein the first computer processor is configured for transmitting the image to the second remote computer processor;   wherein the first computer processor and the second remote computer processor are coupled via a network connection;   wherein the image is received at the network connection;   wherein the image comprises a lightweight operating system that is configured to be stored in and execute in a virtual memory coupled to the second remote computer processor; and   wherein the second remote computer processor is not equipped with additional hardware or an agent to receive or execute the image.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the image is a boot image that is configured to boot up the second remote computer processor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first computer processor is configured for sending a second image to the second remote computer processor, wherein the second image adds to the lightweight operating system and increases the control that the first computer processor has over the second remote computer processor. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first computer processor is configured for:
 receiving data resulting from an execution of the image in the second remote computer processor; and   processing the data to determine the status and availability of the second computer processor.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first computer processor is configured for:
 transmitting a software application to the second remote computer processor; and   storing the image in virtual memory that is coupled to the second remote computer processor;   wherein the image in the virtual memory that is coupled to the second remote computer processor is configured to execute the software application.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first computer processor is configured for creating the image. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the image causes the second remote computer processor to be secured such that only a single user can use the second remote computer processor. 
     
     
         15 . A computer readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by a processor executes a process comprising:
 retrieving an image using a first computer processor; and   transmitting the image from the first computer processor to a second remote computer processor;   wherein the first computer processor and the second remote computer processor are coupled via a network connection;   wherein the image is received at the network connection;   wherein the image comprises a lightweight operating system that is configured to be stored in and execute in a virtual memory coupled to the second remote computer processor; and   wherein the second remote computer processor is not equipped with additional hardware or an agent to receive or execute the image.   
     
     
         16 . The computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the image is a boot image that is configured to boot up the second remote computer processor. 
     
     
         17 . The computer readable medium of  claim 15 , comprising instructions for sending a second image from the first computer processor to the second remote computer processor, wherein the second image adds to the lightweight operating system and increases the control that the first computer processor has over the second remote computer processor. 
     
     
         18 . The computer readable medium of  claim 15 , comprising instructions for:
 receiving at the first computer processor data resulting from an execution of the image in the second remote computer processor; and   processing the data in the first computer processor to determine the status and availability of the second computer processor.   
     
     
         19 . The computer readable medium of  claim 15 , comprising instructions for:
 transmitting a software application from the first computer processor to the second remote computer processor; and   storing the image in the virtual memory that is coupled to the second remote computer processor;   wherein the image in the virtual memory that is coupled to the second remote computer processor is configured to execute the software application.   
     
     
         20 . The computer readable medium of  claim 15 , comprising instructions for creating the image in the first computer processor. 
     
     
         21 . The computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the image causes the second remote computer processor to be secured such that only a single user can use the second remote computer processor.