Abstract: The method can include computing actions corresponding to the difference between a current local state of the managed devices and a target local state for the managed devices, said actions to be executed by the managed devices for bringing the current local state into compliance with the target local state; communicating the actions to the managed devices, via the local network, for execution; subsequently to said communicating instructions, monitoring current states of the managed devices, including detecting a change in the current states of the managed devices, the change reflecting the execution of at least one of the actions at the managed devices, and updating the current local state to reflect the change; computing updated actions corresponding to an updated difference between the current local state and the target local state, following said updating, said at least one executed action being absent from the updated actions; communicate the updated actions to the managed devices, via the local network.

Abstract: The method can include computing actions corresponding to the difference between a current local state of the managed devices and a target local state for the managed devices, said actions to be executed by the managed devices for bringing the current local state into compliance with the target local state; communicating the actions to the managed devices, via the local network, for execution; subsequently to said communicating instructions, monitoring current states of the managed devices, including detecting a change in the current states of the managed devices, the change reflecting the execution of at least one of the actions at the managed devices, and updating the current local state to reflect the change; computing updated actions corresponding to an updated difference between the current local state and the target local state, following said updating, said at least one executed action being absent from the updated actions; communicate the updated actions to the managed devices, via the local network.

Abstract: The method can include building a current local state for the managed devices including retrieving from the managed devices, via a local network, a plurality of current states of corresponding managed devices, and integrating the plurality of current states into the current local state; retrieving, from a remote computer, via a telecommunications network, a target local state for the managed devices; computing a difference between the target local state and the current local state; computing actions based on the difference between the target local state and the current local state, said actions to be executed by the managed devices for bringing the current local state into compliance with the target local state; and communicating the actions to the managed devices, via the local network, for execution.