Patent ID: 7587754

Claim:
In a networked computing environment, a method of operation comprising: a client, having a need for a service of a server with the service to be provided from the server by a plurality of service providing components residing and to be executed on the server including a direct service providing component and one or more supporting components supporting the direct service providing component in providing the service, requesting the server to assure the integrity of the service providing components including the direct service providing component and the one or more supporting components; the client either requesting the service to be provided or accepting the requested service only upon receiving the requested integrity assurance from the server; and the server verifying the integrity of the service providing components including the direct service providing component and the one or more supporting components periodically; wherein said server verifying the integrity of the service providing components including the direct service providing component and the one or more supporting components periodically comprises the server verifying the integrity of the direct service providing component and a first subset of the one or more supporting components with one periodicity, and a second subset of the one or more supporting components with another periodicity.