Abstract: An application programming interface (API) for administering the distribution of software updates on an update service node is presented. The API provides a plurality of interface calls through which an administrator can establish rules by which software updates available to the update service node are distributed.

Abstract: A tag-based structure for communicating software update metadata information to client computers and to update service nodes is presented. An update metadata file includes: an identifier tag including a software update identifier that uniquely identifies the software update; zero or more general properties tags that carry general property information relating the software update; zero or more localized properties tags that carry localized property information organized according to language; zero or more relationship tags that identify dependency relationships the current software update, as described in the update metadata, has with other software updates; zero or more applicability rules tags that carry information for determining the applicability of the software update to a client computer; zero or more files tags that carry information relating to the software update's payload files; and handler specific data tags that carry information directed to the software handler for installing the software update.

Abstract: A system management framework is described for use with a limited-resource client such as a hand-held device. The framework includes a client proxy implemented apart from the client device. The client proxy is configured to communicate with the client device and to emulate a full-functioned client computer on behalf of the client device.

Abstract: A system management framework is described for application delivery and configuration management of mobile devices. The framework includes a management server and a mobile computing device. The management server is configured to communicate download instructions for purposes of configuration management of mobile computing devices. The mobile computing device is configured to connect to the management server over a non-persistent connection. The mobile computing device requests download instructions from the management server to determine any offerings that may be available for download and installation by the mobile computing device. Any offerings presented by the management server represent one or more files that have been made available since a last successful download operation conducted by the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device allows a user to accept or reject download and installation of any one or more of the offerings.

Abstract: A system management framework is described for use with a limited-resource client such as a hand-held device. The framework includes a client proxy implemented apart from the client device. The client proxy is configured to communicate with the client device and to emulate a full-functioned client computer on behalf of the client device.