Abstract: Techniques are described for upgrading systems that include a first set of agents for collecting target data from a plurality of targets and sending the target data to a first management server. In an embodiment, a second set of agents is pre-deployed. Each pre-deployed agent is configured to, upon activation, collect target data from a respective target of the plurality of targets and send the target data to a second management server. While the pre-deployed agent remains inactive, an agent from the first set of agents collects and sends the target data to the first management server. When a first batch of one or more pre-deployed agents is activated, each activated agent begins collecting target data and sending the target data to the second management server. For agents not in the first batch, the first set of agents continues to collect and send the target data.

Abstract: A networked system includes a master agent and at least one state agent. When upgrading the software of the master agent and the state agents, only the binary files at a shared location at the master agent are changed. To accomplish the change, a watchdog process at the state agent watches for the presence of a marker file at the master agent. The master agent produces the marker file if the master agent will accomplish a software upgrade. When the marker file is present, the state agent stops execution. The watchdog continues to monitor the presence of the marker file until the marker file is deleted at the end of the installation process. When the marker file is deleted, the state agent installs the new binary files associated with the software upgrade and resumes execution.

Abstract: A networked system includes a master agent and at least one state agent. When upgrading the software of the master agent and the state agents, only the binary files at a shared location at the master agent are changed. To accomplish the change, a watchdog process at the state agent watches for the presence of a marker file at the master agent. The master agent produces the marker file if the master agent will accomplish a software upgrade. When the marker file is present, the state agent stops execution. The watchdog continues to monitor the presence of the marker file until the marker file is deleted at the end of the installation process. When the marker file is deleted, the state agent installs the new binary files associated with the software upgrade and resumes execution.