Multi-level image extraction

A computer-implemented method for multi-level imaging and extraction on a guest system comprising:

• retrieving, via a processor, an image of a client computing environment, the image comprising an application layer, a middleware layer, and a system layer;
• assigning, via the processor, an extraction level needed to extract one or more sub-images from the image of the client computing environment that can be incorporated with one of an active container on the guest system and an inactive container on the guest system;
• collecting, via the processor, a plurality of resources associated with the assigned extraction level;
• defining a plurality of resource dependencies for the application layer, the middleware layer, and the system layer, wherein the resource dependencies identify an operational relationship between the plurality of resources and one or more of the application layer, the middleware layer, and the system layer;
• generating, via the processor, an image and build file based on the extraction level and the plurality of dependencies;
• extracting, via the processor executing the image and build file, the one or more sub-images from the image of the client computing environment;
• and
• incorporating, via the processor, the one or more sub-images with the active container on the guest system.

A system for multi-level imaging and extraction comprising:

• a processor on a guest system configured to:
• retrieve an image of a client computing environment, the image comprising an application layer, a middleware layer, and a system layer;
• assign an extraction level needed to extract one or more sub-images from the image of the client computing environment that can be incorporated with an active container on the guest system;
• collect a plurality of resources associated with the assigned extraction level;
• define a plurality of resource dependencies for the application layer, the middleware layer, and the system layer, wherein the resource dependencies identify an operational relationship between the plurality of resources and one or more of the application layer, the middleware layer, and the system layer;
• generate an image and build file based on the extraction level and the plurality of dependencies;
• extract the one or more sub-images from the image of the client computing environment;
• and
• incorporate the one or more sub-images with the active container on the guest system.