Prior art — US Patent 8332844

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 8332844, I will examine the patent citations listed on the Google Patents page for US8332844B1. The USPTO's Patent Public Search tool is an appropriate resource for verifying these patents.

Here is an analysis of the patent citations listed for US8332844, focusing on those most relevant to the claims, along with their potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102:

1. US6421777B1 - Method and apparatus for managing boot images in a distributed data processing system

Full Citation: US6421777B1
Publication Date: July 16, 2002
Filing Date: April 26, 1999
Brief Description: This patent describes a method for managing boot images in a distributed data processing system. It involves a server storing a master boot image and creating cloned boot images for individual client computers. When a client boots, it downloads its cloned image from the server. The patent also discusses updating the master image and propagating those updates to the cloned images.
Potential Anticipation: This patent potentially anticipates aspects of claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23. Specifically, the concept of a master boot image and client-specific images is similar to the root and leaf image structure. The distribution of these images for booting client systems aligns with the core idea of providing application environments to compute nodes. While it doesn't explicitly mention "block-level" or "caching of root image blocks" or "sharing indexing results" in the same detail as US8332844, the underlying principle of managing and distributing system images could be considered.

2. US20030126242A1 - Network boot system and method using remotely-stored, client-specific boot images created from shared, base snapshot image

Full Citation: US20030126242A1
Publication Date: July 3, 2003
Filing Date: December 28, 2001
Brief Description: This patent describes a network boot system that uses remotely-stored, client-specific boot images derived from a shared, base snapshot image. It focuses on creating these client-specific images on demand, without copying the entire base image, which reduces boot-up time.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant and potentially anticipates claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23, especially regarding the creation of boot images "on the fly" and the concept of a shared base image (root image) and client-specific images (leaf images). The emphasis on reducing boot-up time by not copying the entire base image aligns with the motivations behind US8332844's root/leaf architecture.

3. US6751658B1 - Providing a reliable operating system for clients of a net-booted environment

Full Citation: US6751658B1
Publication Date: June 15, 2004
Filing Date: October 18, 1999
Brief Description: This patent describes a system for providing a reliable operating system to clients in a net-booted environment. It focuses on maintaining consistency and providing updates to a shared operating system image that clients access over a network.
Potential Anticipation: This patent could potentially anticipate elements of claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23 related to a shared operating system image for multiple clients in a networked environment and the management of that image. The "read-only" nature of the root image in US8332844 and the subsequent modifications stored in leaf images relate to maintaining a consistent base while allowing individual client customization.

4. US7870106B1 - Client side caching in a global file system

Full Citation: US7870106B1
Publication Date: January 11, 2011
Filing Date: December 30, 2004
Brief Description: This patent, notably sharing a priority date with US8332844 and listing some of the same inventors, describes client-side caching in a global file system. It addresses caching frequently accessed data on the client side to improve performance in a distributed environment.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is extremely relevant, given the shared priority date and inventors, and directly addresses "caching" which is a key aspect of claims 1, 7, and 23 of US8332844. It could be considered very strong prior art for the caching aspects, potentially anticipating the novelty of caching blocks of a root image (claim 1, 7) and the associated methods (claim 7, 10).

5. US6101576A - Method for saving generated character image in a cache system including a backup cache

Full Citation: US6101576A
Publication Date: August 8, 2000
Filing Date: July 31, 1992
Brief Description: This patent generally discusses a method for saving generated character images in a cache system that includes a backup cache. It focuses on caching frequently used data for quicker retrieval.
Potential Anticipation: While a more general caching patent, it could potentially anticipate the broad concept of caching data (claim 1, 7, 23). However, it lacks the specific context of block-level root and leaf images for distributed application management that is central to US8332844.

6. US6990573B2 - System and method for sharing storage to boot multiple servers

Full Citation: US6990573B2
Publication Date: January 24, 2006
Filing Date: February 5, 2003
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for sharing storage to boot multiple servers, aiming to reduce the storage requirements for individual servers by using a shared boot image.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant to the concept of sharing a common image (root image) among multiple compute nodes to reduce storage, as described in claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23. This directly supports the idea of having a single root image accessed by many nodes, with individual changes potentially stored elsewhere, anticipating the core architecture.

7. US20030130832A1 - Virtual networking system and method in a processing system

Full Citation: US20030130832A1
Publication Date: July 10, 2003
Filing Date: January 4, 2002
Brief Description: This patent relates to virtual networking systems and methods in a processing system. While not directly about boot images, it deals with virtualizing resources and managing network traffic in a distributed computing environment.
Potential Anticipation: Less direct, but concepts of virtualized environments and managing resources in a distributed system (e.g., how UBDs present a cohesive image) could be considered very broadly. This patent's relevance would likely be limited to background technology rather than direct anticipation of specific claims in US8332844.

8. US6442605B1 - Method and apparatus for system maintenance on an image in a distributed data processing system

Full Citation: US6442605B1
Publication Date: August 27, 2002
Filing Date: March 31, 1999
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for system maintenance on an image in a distributed data processing system, including updating images.
Potential Anticipation: This patent could be relevant to the aspect of updating the root image for the entire cluster (as mentioned in the background of US8332844), which implicitly contributes to the value proposition of the root/leaf system. It broadly addresses image management and maintenance in a distributed system, potentially anticipating the general concept of modifying a base image.

9. US5974547A - Technique for reliable network booting of an operating system to a client computer

Full Citation: US5974547A
Publication Date: October 26, 1999
Filing Date: March 20, 1998
Brief Description: This patent describes a technique for reliable network booting of an operating system to a client computer, focusing on ensuring the integrity and availability of the boot process over a network.
Potential Anticipation: This patent would generally anticipate the concept of network booting operating systems to client computers, which is a foundational element that US8332844 builds upon. The mechanisms for achieving this reliability might touch on data delivery and image consistency, relevant to claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23 at a high level.

10. US6018747A - Method for generating and reconstructing in-place delta files

Full Citation: US6018747A
Publication Date: January 25, 2000
Filing Date: November 26, 1997
Brief Description: This patent describes a method for generating and reconstructing "delta files," which essentially capture changes between different versions of a file. This is directly relevant to storing only changes rather than entire files.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant to the concept of storing "changes made by respective compute nodes to the blocks of said root image" in the leaf images (claims 1, 7, 14, 19, 23). The use of delta files directly addresses the efficiency of only storing modifications, which is a key advantage of the root/leaf system.

11. US20040199919A1 - Methods and apparatus for optimal OpenMP application performance on Hyper-Threading processors

Full Citation: US20040199919A1
Publication Date: October 7, 2004
Filing Date: April 4, 2003
Brief Description: This patent relates to optimizing performance of OpenMP applications on Hyper-Threading processors, which is more focused on parallel processing and CPU utilization.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is less directly relevant to the core claims of US8332844, which focuses on block-level image management, caching, and indexing. Its relevance would be minimal, perhaps only to the general context of high-performance computing (HPC) environments where such systems might be deployed.

12. US20040088473A1 - Efficient system and method for updating a memory device

Full Citation: US20040088473A1
Publication Date: May 6, 2004
Filing Date: September 30, 2002
Brief Description: This patent describes an efficient system and method for updating a memory device, possibly by only updating changed portions.
Potential Anticipation: This patent could be broadly relevant to the idea of efficiently updating images by only applying changes, which is a benefit of the root/leaf architecture. It might anticipate the general concept of efficient updates, but not necessarily the specific block-level, root/leaf, or indexing/caching mechanisms of US8332844.

13. US6938057B2 - Method and apparatus for networked backup storage

Full Citation: US6938057B2
Publication Date: August 30, 2005
Filing Date: May 21, 1999
Brief Description: This patent discusses a method and apparatus for networked backup storage, focusing on data redundancy and recovery.
Potential Anticipation: While US8332844 mentions redundancy and backup (e.g., copying leaf nodes for backup), this patent's primary focus on networked backup storage is a different domain. Its relevance to the specific claims of US8332844 would be limited, mostly touching on the broad concept of data protection in a networked environment.

14. US20020083120A1 - Storage area network file system

Full Citation: US20020083120A1
Publication Date: June 27, 2002
Filing Date: December 22, 2000
Brief Description: This patent describes a storage area network (SAN) file system, focusing on how data is managed and accessed within a SAN environment.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is relevant to the underlying storage infrastructure for distributed systems. While it provides context for how first and second storage units might operate, it does not specifically address the root/leaf image management, caching, or indexing as defined in the claims of US8332844.

15. US7499988B2 - Method for SAN-based BOS install volume group

Full Citation: US7499988B2
Publication Date: March 3, 2009
Filing Date: October 16, 2003
Brief Description: This patent describes a method for SAN-based installation of a Base Operating System (BOS) using volume groups. It focuses on the deployment of operating systems in a SAN environment.
Potential Anticipation: This patent could be relevant to the initial deployment of an operating system (which is part of the application environment in US8332844) in a storage area network setting. It broadly relates to image deployment, but not the specific caching and indexing of a root/leaf block-level system.

16. US7246221B1 - Boot disk replication for network booting of remote servers

Full Citation: US7246221B1
Publication Date: July 17, 2007
Filing Date: March 26, 2003
Brief Description: This patent describes boot disk replication for network booting of remote servers, ensuring that boot images are available and consistent across multiple servers.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is relevant to the broad concept of network booting and maintaining consistent boot images for multiple servers. It could potentially anticipate aspects of distributing application environments to compute nodes (claims 1, 7, 14, 19, 23) but might lack the specific block-level root/leaf differentiation and the explicit caching and indexing described in US8332844.

17. US7290258B2 - Managing multiple devices on which operating systems can be automatically deployed

Full Citation: US7290258B2
Publication Date: October 30, 2007
Filing Date: June 25, 2003
Brief Description: This patent focuses on managing multiple devices and automatically deploying operating systems to them, which is a common task in clustered computing.
Potential Anticipation: This patent broadly covers the deployment of operating systems to multiple compute nodes, which is a context for US8332844. However, it may not detail the specific block-level, root/leaf, caching, or indexing mechanisms to the same extent as US8332844.

18. US20050131962A1 - Systems and methods for implementing a cache model

Full Citation: US20050131962A1
Publication Date: June 16, 2005
Filing Date: December 16, 2003
Brief Description: This patent describes systems and methods for implementing a cache model generally, covering different caching strategies and their implementation.
Potential Anticipation: This is a broad caching patent. While it anticipates the general concept of caching (claims 1, 7, 23), it lacks the specific application of caching root image blocks in the context of a block-level distributed application management system with leaf images for individual compute nodes, which is the specific novelty of US8332844.

19. US20030046511A1 - Multiprocessor-scalable streaming data server arrangement

Full Citation: US20030046511A1
Publication Date: March 6, 2003
Filing Date: August 30, 2001
Brief Description: This patent describes a multiprocessor-scalable streaming data server arrangement, focusing on delivering data efficiently in a high-performance environment.
Potential Anticipation: This patent's relevance is mostly to the "distributed application management" aspect and the notion of scalability. It might broadly touch on efficient data delivery, which could relate to faster boot-up times, but not the specific block-level image management, caching, or indexing methods of US8332844.

20. US7331047B2 - Deterministic system and method for implementing software distributed between a desktop and a remote device

Full Citation: US7331047B2
Publication Date: February 12, 2008
Filing Date: November 25, 2003
Brief Description: This patent describes a deterministic system and method for implementing software distributed between a desktop and a remote device, with a focus on consistent software execution.
Potential Anticipation: This patent relates to distributed software, which is a broad area. Its relevance to US8332844 might be in the general concept of distributing an application environment, but it does not appear to detail the specific block-level root/leaf structure, caching, or indexing for shared images.

21. US7467293B2 - Method and computing system for transparence computing on the computer network

Full Citation: US7467293B2
Publication Date: December 16, 2008
Filing Date: November 12, 2004
Brief Description: This patent describes methods and systems for "transparence computing" on a computer network, which sounds like an approach to abstracting computing resources.
Potential Anticipation: This patent's abstract suggests a high-level approach to distributed computing. While the "transparence" might relate to how UBDs present a cohesive image to compute nodes, its direct anticipation of the specific block-level root/leaf system, caching, and indexing of US8332844 would be limited.

22. US7475274B2 - Fault tolerance and recovery in a high-performance computing (HPC) system

Full Citation: US7475274B2
Publication Date: January 6, 2009
Filing Date: November 17, 2004
Brief Description: This patent addresses fault tolerance and recovery mechanisms in high-performance computing (HPC) systems.
Potential Anticipation: The general context of US8332844 is HPC. While US8332844 mentions scalability and redundancy, its claims do not specifically detail fault tolerance or recovery mechanisms beyond the general idea of having additional root image servers for redundancy. Therefore, this patent would likely not anticipate the core claims of US8332844.

23. US6871219B2 - Dynamic memory placement policies for NUMA architecture

Full Citation: US6871219B2
Publication Date: March 22, 2005
Filing Date: March 7, 2001
Brief Description: This patent describes dynamic memory placement policies for Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) architectures, focusing on optimizing memory access for multiprocessor systems.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is related to memory management and system architecture, specifically NUMA. Its relevance to US8332844 is likely minimal, as it does not address block-level image management, caching, or indexing in the context of distributed application environments.

24. US6745192B1 - System and method for providing a multi-tiered hierarchical transient message store accessed using multiply hashed unique filenames

Full Citation: US6745192B1
Publication Date: June 1, 2004
Filing Date: August 3, 2001
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for a multi-tiered hierarchical transient message store. This appears to be related to message queuing or temporary data storage.
Potential Anticipation: This patent does not appear to be directly relevant to the core concepts of US8332844. It concerns message storage rather than block-level image management, caching, or indexing for distributed application environments.

25. US6986005B2 - Low latency lock for multiprocessor computer system

Full Citation: US6986005B2
Publication Date: January 10, 2006
Filing Date: December 31, 2001
Brief Description: This patent describes a low latency lock mechanism for multiprocessor computer systems, focusing on synchronization and concurrency.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is related to synchronization in multiprocessor systems, which is a different technical area from the core claims of US8332844. Its relevance would be minimal.

26. US7200715B2 - Method for writing contiguous arrays of stripes in a RAID storage system using mapped block writes

Full Citation: US7200715B2
Publication Date: April 3, 2007
Filing Date: March 21, 2002
Brief Description: This patent describes a method for writing data in a RAID storage system using mapped block writes, focusing on storage efficiency and performance.
Potential Anticipation: This patent relates to block-level storage operations in a RAID system. While US8332844 also operates at the block level, the context is different. This patent is about how data is written to physical storage arrays, whereas US8332844 focuses on the logical organization and distribution of root and leaf images, caching, and indexing. Its relevance to US8332844's claims would be limited to the general concept of block-level operations in storage.

27. US7155714B2 - Network distributed product manager system

Full Citation: US7155714B2
Publication Date: December 26, 2006
Filing Date: June 12, 2002
Brief Description: This patent describes a network distributed product manager system, likely for managing software products across a network.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is broadly related to software distribution. However, it is unlikely to anticipate the specific block-level root/leaf image architecture, caching of root image blocks, or shared indexing results that are central to US8332844's claims.

28. US20030233648A1 - System and method for managing software upgrades in a distributed computing system

Full Citation: US20030233648A1
Publication Date: December 18, 2003
Filing Date: June 12, 2002
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for managing software upgrades in a distributed computing system, addressing how updates are applied to multiple machines.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is relevant to the updating of application environments in a distributed system, a problem that the root/leaf system of US8332844 addresses by simplifying updates to the root image. It could broadly anticipate the benefit of simplified updates but not the specific block-level implementation.

29. US7590653B2 - Automated discovery and inventory of nodes within an autonomic distributed computing system

Full Citation: US7590653B2
Publication Date: September 15, 2009
Filing Date: March 2, 2005
Brief Description: This patent focuses on automated discovery and inventory of nodes in an autonomic distributed computing system.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is in the realm of managing distributed systems, but not directly related to the core claims of US8332844 regarding image management, caching, or indexing at the block level. Its relevance would be minimal.

30. US7685148B2 - Automatically configuring a distributed computing system according to a hierarchical model

Full Citation: US7685148B2
Publication Date: March 23, 2010
Filing Date: January 31, 2005
Brief Description: This patent describes automatically configuring a distributed computing system based on a hierarchical model.
Potential Anticipation: This patent relates to configuring distributed systems. While a root/leaf image structure could be seen as a hierarchical model, this patent does not appear to delve into the specific block-level image management, caching, or indexing aspects of US8332844's claims.

31. US20060173993A1 - Management of software images for computing nodes of a distributed computing system

Full Citation: US20060173993A1
Publication Date: August 3, 2006
Filing Date: January 28, 2005
Brief Description: This patent addresses the management of software images for computing nodes in a distributed computing system.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant as it explicitly discusses "management of software images for computing nodes of a distributed computing system." This broadly covers the subject matter of US8332844, and depending on the details of its "management," could potentially anticipate aspects of image storage, distribution, and updating, as laid out in claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23.

32. US7127712B1 - System and method for providing a java code release infrastructure with granular code patching

Full Citation: US7127712B1
Publication Date: October 24, 2006
Filing Date: February 14, 2001
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for providing a Java code release infrastructure with granular code patching, focusing on application updates.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is more specific to Java code and granular patching, rather than block-level operating system images. While it concerns updates, its relevance to the specific claims of US8332844 would be minimal due to the different level of abstraction.

33. US6292941B1 - Operating system installation

Full Citation: US6292941B1
Publication Date: September 18, 2001
Filing Date: April 30, 1996
Brief Description: This patent broadly covers operating system installation, which is a fundamental aspect of setting up compute nodes.
Potential Anticipation: This patent could anticipate the general concept of operating system installation, which is the initial step for distributing an application environment. However, it likely lacks the specific root/leaf image structure, caching, or indexing at the block level as claimed in US8332844.

34. US7269664B2 - Network portal system and methods

Full Citation: US7269664B2
Publication Date: September 11, 2007
Filing Date: January 14, 2000
Brief Description: This patent describes network portal systems and methods, which are about providing access points to network services.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is unrelated to the core claims of US8332844.

35. US5175852A - Distributed file access structure lock

Full Citation: US5175852A
Publication Date: December 29, 1992
Filing Date: February 13, 1987
Brief Description: This patent describes a distributed file access structure lock, dealing with concurrency control in distributed file systems.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is concerned with file system locking, a different technical area from block-level image management, caching, or indexing. Its relevance would be minimal.

36. US5127104A - Method and product involving translation and execution of programs by automatic partitioning and data structure allocation

Full Citation: US5127104A
Publication Date: June 30, 1992
Filing Date: December 29, 1986
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and product for translating and executing programs by automatic partitioning and data structure allocation.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is about program execution and data allocation, which is a different focus from the image management, caching, and indexing of US8332844. Its relevance would be minimal.

37. US5113523A - High performance computer system

Full Citation: US5113523A
Publication Date: May 12, 1992
Filing Date: May 6, 1985
Brief Description: This patent generally describes a high-performance computer system.
Potential Anticipation: This is a very broad patent on computer systems. Its relevance to the specific claims of US8332844 would be extremely limited, likely only providing very general background.

38. US5764902A - Conditional insert or merge in a data conference

Full Citation: US5764902A
Publication Date: June 9, 1998
Filing Date: September 29, 1995
Brief Description: This patent describes conditional insert or merge operations in a data conference, likely related to data synchronization.
Potential Anticipation: While US8332844 involves "merging" root and leaf images, this patent's context of "data conference" suggests a different application. Its relevance would be to the general concept of merging data, but not the specific block-level image merging for application environments.

39. US5999734A - Compiler-oriented apparatus for parallel compilation, simulation and execution of computer programs and hardware models

Full Citation: US5999734A
Publication Date: December 7, 1999
Filing Date: October 21, 1997
Brief Description: This patent describes a compiler-oriented apparatus for parallel compilation, simulation, and execution of computer programs and hardware models.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is focused on compilation and execution, a different domain from block-level image management. Its relevance would be minimal.

40. US20020016891A1 - Method and apparatus for reconfiguring memory in a multiprocessor system with shared memory

Full Citation: US20020016891A1
Publication Date: February 7, 2002
Filing Date: June 10, 1998
Brief Description: This patent describes reconfiguring memory in a multiprocessor system with shared memory, focusing on memory resource management.
Potential Anticipation: This patent's relevance is to memory configuration in multiprocessor systems. While a system like US8332844 might run on such hardware, the patent does not anticipate the specific block-level image management, caching, or indexing of US8332844's claims.

41. US6195680B1 - Client-based dynamic switching of streaming servers for fault-tolerance and load balancing

Full Citation: US6195680B1
Publication Date: February 27, 2001
Filing Date: July 23, 1998
Brief Description: This patent describes client-based dynamic switching of streaming servers for fault tolerance and load balancing.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is about streaming servers and fault tolerance. While distributed application management can involve load balancing and redundancy, this patent is not directly concerned with the block-level image management, caching, or indexing as claimed in US8332844.

42. US6502238B1 - System for constructing and distributing block-based fragments

Full Citation: US6502238B1
Publication Date: December 31, 2002
Filing Date: December 31, 1998
Brief Description: This patent describes a system for constructing and distributing "block-based fragments." This is highly relevant as it explicitly deals with block-level data distribution.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant and potentially anticipates the block-level nature of US8332844's root and leaf images, as described in claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23. The distribution of "block-based fragments" aligns well with the concept of distributing application environments at the block level.

43. US6597956B1 - Method and apparatus for controlling an extensible computing system

Full Citation: US6597956B1
Publication Date: July 22, 2003
Filing Date: August 23, 1999
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for controlling an extensible computing system.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is broadly about controlling computing systems. Its relevance to US8332844 is likely minimal, as it doesn't appear to focus on the specific block-level image management, caching, or indexing that characterizes US8332844.

44. US6779177B1 - Mechanism for cross channel multi-server multi-protocol multi-data model thin clients

Full Citation: US6779177B1
Publication Date: August 17, 2004
Filing Date: October 28, 1999
Brief Description: This patent describes a mechanism for cross-channel multi-server multi-protocol multi-data model thin clients.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is related to thin clients and multi-server environments, which can be a form of distributed computing. However, it doesn't appear to address the specific block-level image management, caching, or indexing of US8332844.

45. US6606744B1 - Providing collaborative installation management in a network-based supply chain environment

Full Citation: US6606744B1
Publication Date: August 12, 2003
Filing Date: November 22, 1999
Brief Description: This patent describes providing collaborative installation management in a network-based supply chain environment.
Potential Anticipation: This patent relates to installation management, which is a broad concept. While US8332844 facilitates the "installation" of an application environment, this patent doesn't appear to detail the specific root/leaf image structure, caching, or indexing.

46. US7668938B1 - Method and system for dynamically purposing a computing device

Full Citation: US7668938B1
Publication Date: February 23, 2010
Filing Date: January 14, 2000
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system for dynamically purposing a computing device.
Potential Anticipation: This patent broadly relates to configuring computing devices dynamically. While the application environment in US8332844 can be seen as defining the "purpose" of a compute node, this patent doesn't appear to disclose the specific block-level image management, caching, or indexing.

47. US7263551B2 - Distributed computing services platform

Full Citation: US7263551B2
Publication Date: August 28, 2007
Filing Date: June 22, 2000
Brief Description: This patent describes a distributed computing services platform.
Potential Anticipation: This is a broad patent on distributed computing platforms. Its relevance to US8332844 would be limited to general background knowledge of distributed systems.

48. US7454462B2 - Distributed computing services platform

Full Citation: US7454462B2
Publication Date: November 18, 2008
Filing Date: June 22, 2000
Brief Description: This patent also describes a distributed computing services platform, similar to US7263551B2.
Potential Anticipation: Same as above.

49. US6990513B2 - Distributed computing services platform

Full Citation: US6990513B2
Publication Date: January 24, 2006
Filing Date: June 22, 2000
Brief Description: This patent also describes a distributed computing services platform, similar to the previous two.
Potential Anticipation: Same as above.

50. US7496739B1 - System and related methods for automatically configuring a computing system

Full Citation: US7496739B1
Publication Date: February 24, 2009
Filing Date: June 30, 2000
Brief Description: This patent describes systems and methods for automatically configuring a computing system.
Potential Anticipation: This patent broadly covers configuring computing systems. While US8332844 provides an application environment that configures a compute node, this patent is unlikely to anticipate the specific block-level image management, caching, or indexing.

51. US20020087813A1 - Technique for referencing distributed shared memory locally rather than remotely

Full Citation: US20020087813A1
Publication Date: July 4, 2002
Filing Date: July 31, 2000
Brief Description: This patent describes a technique for referencing distributed shared memory locally rather than remotely, aiming to improve performance by reducing remote access.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is relevant to performance optimization in distributed shared memory systems. While caching (in US8332844) can be seen as a way to access data locally, this patent's focus is on distributed shared memory at a different level of abstraction and likely wouldn't anticipate the specific block-level caching of root image portions.

52. US7150015B2 - Method and system for deploying an asset over a multi-tiered network

Full Citation: US7150015B2
Publication Date: December 12, 2006
Filing Date: September 1, 2000
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system for deploying an asset (e.g., software) over a multi-tiered network.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is relevant to software deployment in a networked environment, which is a high-level goal of US8332844. However, it is unlikely to specify the block-level root/leaf structure, caching, or indexing.

53. US7430610B2 - System and method for adjusting the distribution of an asset over a multi-tiered network

Full Citation: US7430610B2
Publication Date: September 30, 2008
Filing Date: September 1, 2000
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for adjusting the distribution of an asset over a multi-tiered network.
Potential Anticipation: Similar to US7150015B2, this patent concerns software distribution but likely lacks the specific technical details of US8332844's claims.

54. US7536686B2 - Techniques for automatically installing and configuring database applications

Full Citation: US7536686B2
Publication Date: May 19, 2009
Filing Date: September 8, 2000
Brief Description: This patent describes techniques for automatically installing and configuring database applications.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is specific to database applications. While an application environment in US8332844 could include a database, the patent does not appear to anticipate the general block-level image management, caching, or indexing for any application environment.

55. US20040015899A1 - Method for processing data

Full Citation: US20040015899A1
Publication Date: January 22, 2004
Filing Date: October 6, 2000
Brief Description: This patent generally describes a method for processing data.
Potential Anticipation: This is a very broad patent on data processing. Its relevance to the specific claims of US8332844 would be extremely limited, likely only providing very general background.

56. US20020087846A1 - Reconfigurable processing system and method

Full Citation: US20020087846A1
Publication Date: July 4, 2002
Filing Date: November 6, 2000
Brief Description: This patent describes a reconfigurable processing system and method.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is related to reconfigurable systems, a different technical area. Its relevance to US8332844 would be minimal.

57. US7246351B2 - System and method for deploying and implementing software applications over a distributed network

Full Citation: US7246351B2
Publication Date: July 17, 2007
Filing Date: February 20, 2001
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for deploying and implementing software applications over a distributed network.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant to "distributing an application environment to a compute node," which is a core concept of US8332844. Depending on the level of detail regarding how the software is "deployed and implemented," it could potentially anticipate elements of claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23 at a high level.

58. US20050128319A1 - Image input apparatus

Full Citation: US20050128319A1
Publication Date: June 16, 2005
Filing Date: December 15, 2003
Brief Description: This patent describes an image input apparatus, such as a scanner or camera.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is completely unrelated to the technical domain of US8332844.

59. US7334157B1 - Restore of data to a computer system having different hardware

Full Citation: US7334157B1
Publication Date: February 19, 2008
Filing Date: February 26, 2004
Brief Description: This patent describes restoring data to a computer system having different hardware, which is relevant to system recovery and migration.
Potential Anticipation: While US8332844 deals with deploying application environments, this patent's focus on hardware differences during restore is a distinct problem. Its relevance to the core claims of US8332844 would be limited.

Summary of Most Relevant Prior Art:

Based on the analysis, the following patents appear to be the most relevant prior art for US8332844, with direct implications for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102:

US20030126242A1 - Network boot system and method using remotely-stored, client-specific boot images created from shared, base snapshot image: This patent directly addresses the core root/leaf image concept and on-demand creation of client images, strongly anticipating claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23.
US7870106B1 - Client side caching in a global file system: Given the shared priority date and inventors, this patent is highly significant for the caching aspects of US8332844, directly anticipating claims 1, 7, and 23 related to caching.
US6990573B2 - System and method for sharing storage to boot multiple servers: This patent strongly anticipates the core idea of sharing a common boot image among multiple servers to reduce storage, relevant to claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23.
US6018747A - Method for generating and reconstructing in-place delta files: This patent anticipates the method of storing only changes (delta files) for the leaf images, which is a key efficiency feature in claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23.
US6502238B1 - System for constructing and distributing block-based fragments: This patent directly anticipates the block-level nature of the root and leaf images and their distribution, relevant to claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23.
US20060173993A1 - Management of software images for computing nodes of a distributed computing system: This patent broadly covers the management of software images in distributed systems, and depending on its detailed description, could anticipate the high-level concepts of image storage and distribution in claims 1, 7, 14, 19, and 23.