Abstract: A method for distributing an upgrade among a plurality of nodes communicatingly linked in a network includes: (a) introducing an upgrade element to a first node of the plurality of nodes; the upgrade element being appropriate for use by the first node for effecting the upgrade; (b) communicating the upgrade element from the first node to at least one other node of the plurality of nodes than the first node for use by the at least one other node for effecting the upgrade; (c) communicating the upgrade element from the at least one other node to at least one selected remaining node of the plurality of nodes not having received the upgrade element; and (d) repeating step (c) until the upgrade element is communicated to the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided to address the need for improved network node discovery. In one method, a network node receives from a sending node a request indicating a criterion of interest to an originator node. If the network node meets the criterion, the network node sends a response to the originator node indicating that the network node meets the criterion. The network node also forwards the request to any nodes that neighbor the network node other than the sending node.

Abstract: A method for distributing an upgrade among a plurality of nodes communicatingly linked in a network includes: (a) introducing an upgrade element to a first node of the plurality of nodes; the upgrade element being appropriate for use by the first node for effecting the upgrade; (b) communicating the upgrade element from the first node to at least one other node of the plurality of nodes than the first node for use by the at least one other node for effecting the upgrade; (c) communicating the upgrade element from the at least one other node to at least one selected remaining node of the plurality of nodes not having received the upgrade element; and (d) repeating step (c) until the upgrade element is communicated to the plurality of nodes.