System and method providing single application image

A method for administration of an application, comprising:

• employing a processor that executes computer executable code stored in memory to effect the following:
• defining an application identifier;
• locating one or more resources associated with the application to record in a manifest of the associated resources, the resources including data structures, configuration settings, files, directories, directory substructures, pointers, identifiers to other resources, or others;
• combining the resources and application identifier into an application image that includes a service level agreement that manages the application image performance;
• subsequently adding utilities within the application image by adding a new application resource to the application image, wherein the application image that includes the additional utilities is manageable as a single entity;
• nesting a separate application image within the existing application image;
• and
• associating a monitoring component with the existing application image, wherein the monitoring component provides an enumerated display of the resources that includes at least one of a flat display, or hierarchical display of the resources, or any combination thereof.

A system for managing and administering an application comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor, operatively coupled to the memory, the processor executing computer-executable instructions configured to:
• define an application identifier;
• locate one or more resources related to an application to record in a manifest of the related resources, the resources include data structures, configuration settings, files, directories, directory substructures, pointers, identifiers to other resources, or objects;
• aggregate the one or more resources into an extensible application image;
• extend the application image by adding a new application resource to the application, the new resource adds a new utility to the application and is managed under the existing application image;
• nest a separate application image within the existing application image;
• and
• associate a monitoring component with the existing application image, wherein the monitoring component provides an enumerated display of the resources that includes at least one of a flat display, or hierarchical display of the resources, or any combination thereof.