An embodiment relates generally to a method of distributing virtual machines. The method includes specifying a set of requirements for a virtual machine and instantiating a virtual machine based on a lightweight reusable profile, based on the set of requirements as described in the profile. The method also includes importing the profile to a distribution server; and distributing the profile to at least one physical machine in response to a request. Software can be added to the at least one physical machine that can manage the deployment of the physical hosts as a farm to hosting the virtual images.