1. A method, in a data processing system, for collaborating between two or more operating system image repository systems, comprising: associating a first operating system image (OSI) repository system with a second OSI repository system, wherein each of the first and second OSI repository systems store one or more OSIs for use either natively or virtually by client computing devices; defining one or more collaboration rules that define a manner by which OSI information in the first OSI repository system is shared with the second OSI repository system; and performing a collaborative operation between the first OSI repository system and the second OSI repository system, wherein an extent of the collaborative operation is circumscribed by application of the one or more collaboration rules.