Abstract: A method of deploying enterprise applications or updates to data processing systems in a complex data processing environment. The enterprise applications or updates are phase deployed to the target data processing systems. Phased deployment includes the steps of preparing one affected node, quiescing all affected servers in the node, stopping all affected servers in the node, synchronizing the node, delivering the applications or updates, starting all affected servers, reactivating all affected servers, restoring the affected node, and repeating these steps for each affected node one at a time until all targeted data processing systems have been affected.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, switch between synchronous processing and asynchronous processing for a request if the synchronous processing for the request is unsuccessful and send a synchronous response to a client that initiated the request after the asynchronous processing of the request. In an embodiment, an asynchronous response for the asynchronous processing is sent to a bridge, which then sends the synchronous response to the client. In this way, the client may receive a synchronous response even if the request is performed by asynchronous processing.