Abstract: Software can be acquired via a distributed server arrangement. Software designated as to be installed at a set of nodes can be acquired from a local peer node. Nodes can include agents that periodically query a data center to discover software designated as to be installed on the node. The designated software can then be acquired via one or more references to peer nodes. The nodes can periodically update the data center to accurately indicate which software is available at the nodes. Proxy server nodes can serve as liaisons between a data center and other nodes that lack direct network access to the data center. Various aspects can be performed within an application service provider scenario. If desired, any node can be designated as a sharing peer node, a proxy server node, or both.

Abstract: An executable is executed on a computer via a software component with customization data. The software component can be embedded in a document such as a web page. The software component may be, for example, an ActiveX control or a Java applet. The executable can be a remote deployment utility for installing software. To perform a remote deployment operation, such as an installation, uninstall, or update, on client computers on a network, instructions are sent from an administrator computer to plural client computers on the network. The plural client computers can be located in different domains. The remote deployment operation is then performed on the client computers. A remote deployment operation may be performed using a downloaded remote deployment utility.