Globally distributed utility computing cloud

A system for migrating a distributed application from a first server grid to a second server grid via a computer network, the system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one interface operable to provide a communication link to at least one network device;
• and
• memory;
• run a first instance of the distributed application at the first server grid, wherein the first server grid has associated therewith a first portion of virtualized computing resources representing computing resources associated with a first plurality of physical servers, wherein the first instance of the distributed application has associated therewith a first instance of a virtual machine and a first instance of a virtual volume;
• store, at the first instance of the virtual volume, a first disk image for use by the first instance of the distributed application;
• establish a connection over the computer network from the first server grid to the second server grid;
• transfer, to the second server grid, first distributed application information relating to the first instance of the distributed application, wherein the first distributed application information includes distributed application descriptor information and distributed application configuration information;
• and
• start, using the first distributed application information, the second instance of the distributed application at the second server grid;
• wherein the second instance of the distributed application includes a second instance of the virtual machine.

A system for delivering pre-packaged software in virtual appliances to computing systems for use in operating software applications, the system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one interface operable to provide a communication link to at least one network device;
• and
• memory;
• the system being operable to:
• identify a first virtual appliance class by a first identifier;
• request the first virtual appliance class from a first catalog service using the first identifier;
• transfer the first virtual appliance class from the catalog service to a first computing system;
• and
• start an instance of the first virtual appliance class on the first computing system.

An exchange system for renting or leasing computing resources provided over a computing network, the system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one interface operable to provide a communication link to at least one network device;
• and
• memory;
• the system being operable to:
• register a first set of computing resources provided by a first resource provider;
• register a second set of computing resources provided by a second resource provider;
• and
• register at least one resource subscriber including a first resource subscriber, wherein the first resource subscriber is registered to use a portion of the first set of computing resources and a portion of the second set of computing resources.