1. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory communicably coupled to the processor, the memory storing processor-executable instructions, which instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to instantiate a computer-implemented process, comprising: a managed computing element configured to load, execute and unload, on command, a task oriented program including a plurality of task-oriented processor-executable instructions; one or more actuators communicably coupled to one another and to the managed computing element through a first communication path, the actuators configured to determine faults, configuration, accounting, performance, and security aspects of the managed computing element; a data path accessible to the managed computing element and through which the managed computing element receives inputs and provides outputs to a host; and a signaling path separate from the data path, the signaling path accessible to each of the one or more actuators and through which the one or more actuators exchange management information with service transaction management elements, which service transaction management elements are distinct from infrastructure management systems for said host.