Abstract: A systems and methods for distributing software to one or more targets from a central location using one or more channels is described. A channel is a hierarchical list of targets and tasks. A task is a file, a script, or a command that is run or installed on a target computer. A target is a computer or group to receive the tasks.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter relates to networked computing environments and more specifically to dynamic identification and administration of networked clients. Various embodiments of the present inventive subject matter include systems and methods for defining, on a server, a configuration of interest comprising one or more potential properties of a client, communicating the configurations of interest over a network to one or more clients, dynamically evaluating a client state relative to the configurations of interest, and communicating a representation of the client state in relation to the configuration of interest to the server. Further embodiments include automatically creating and displaying associations of clients based on configurations of interest. Yet further embodiments include clients requesting and receiving updates to the configurations of interest. Still further embodiments include actions associated with configurations of interest.

Abstract: A configuration image file is a single file containing all the information needed to troubleshoot, distribute or delete software from one or multiple computers. Information contained in configuration image files can comprise files, folders, shortcuts, and registry settings. The individual items in a configuration image file are entries. A conflict checking system includes conflict checking functions to check for potential conflicts in one or more configuration image files. A conflict exists when one or more configuration image files includes entries that are inconsistent. One version of the system identifies folder conflicts. A folder conflict exists when the same entry exists in more than one folder location in one or more configuration image files. Another version of the system identifies version conflicts. A version conflict exists when different versions of the same file exist in the same location within two configuration image files. Another version of the system identifies registry conflicts.