A method for use at an acceleration component , the method for configuring an acceleration component, the method comprising: receiving an image file for configuring an acceleration component through a network interface at the acceleration component; processing the image file at the acceleration component to configure the acceleration component with the network interface ; hardening the network interface so that acceleration component resources allocated for the network interface are not impacted by configuration of roles at the acceleration component, the allocated acceleration component resources including a plurality of logic blocks and at least one interconnect; receiving another image file from a computer system over a network through the network interface, the other image file sent by the computer system from a central image repository, the other image file including instructions for configuring the acceleration component with a role; another role at the acceleration component exchanging data with another networked component over the network through the network interface while the image file from the central image repository is also being received through the network interface; configuring the acceleration component in accordance with the other image file by processing the instructions at the acceleration component to configure the acceleration component with the role; the other role at the acceleration component exchanging further data with the other networked component over the network through the network interface while the acceleration component is also being configured with the role during processing of the instructions; and utilizing the role to participate in accelerating a service after configuration of the role is complete. receiving an image file for configuring an acceleration component through a network interface at the acceleration component; processing the image file at the acceleration component to configure the acceleration component with the network interface ; hardening the network interface so that acceleration component resources allocated for the network interface are not impacted by configuration of roles at the acceleration component, the allocated acceleration component resources including a plurality of logic blocks and at least one interconnect; receiving another image file from a computer system over a network through the network interface, the other image file sent by the computer system from a central image repository, the other image file including instructions for configuring the acceleration component with a role; another role at the acceleration component exchanging data with another networked component over the network through the network interface while the image file from the central image repository is also being received through the network interface; configuring the acceleration component in accordance with the other image file by processing the instructions at the acceleration component to configure the acceleration component with the role; the other role at the acceleration component exchanging further data with the other networked component over the network through the network interface while the acceleration component is also being configured with the role during processing of the instructions; and utilizing the role to participate in accelerating a service after configuration of the role is complete. <EOS>