Distributed server software distribution

摘要

Software can be acquired via a distributed server arrangement. Software designated as to be installed at a set of nodes can be acquired from a local peer node. Nodes can include agents that periodically query a data center to discover software designated as to be installed on the node. The designated software can then be acquired via one or more references to peer nodes. The nodes can periodically update the data center to accurately indicate which software is available at the nodes. Proxy server nodes can serve as liaisons between a data center and other nodes that lack direct network access to the data center. Various aspects can be performed within an application service provider scenario. If desired, any node can be designated as a sharing peer node, a proxy server node, or both.