Method for distributing and/or updating software in networked control devices, comprising the steps of: storing at least one factory-preprogrammed base module for initialising and programming one from a multiplicity of programmable secondary control devices, which form part of a networked system of control devices, in a respective first memory area of each secondary control device; characterised by storing factory-preprogrammed software in the form of operating modules for all of the multiplicity of programmable secondary control devices of the networked subsystem in at least one primary control device, which likewise forms part of the networked subsystem of control devices, in a second memory area of the primary control device; transmitting at least one operating module, provided for at least one determined instance of the multiplicity of programmable secondary control devices, independently from the primary control device to the at least one determined secondary control device at a predetermined time and/or as required; and programming the at least one determined secondary control device independently and for operational capability with the at least one operating module received from the primary control device using the base module; checking a hardware version of at least one programmable secondary control device by means of a checking device, wherein the primary control device is configured to store a multiplicity of operating modules with different version release for a defined secondary control device in an available manner; and, if the determined secondary control device is ascertained as being programmable, transmitting an operating module suitable for an ascertained hardware version to the defined secondary control device, and, if the determined secondary control device is ascertained as being non-programmable, skipping the determined secondary control device and transition to a secondary control device which is to be checked next. storing at least one factory-preprogrammed base module for initialising and programming one from a multiplicity of programmable secondary control devices, which form part of a networked system of control devices, in a respective first memory area of each secondary control device; characterised by storing factory-preprogrammed software in the form of operating modules for all of the multiplicity of programmable secondary control devices of the networked subsystem in at least one primary control device, which likewise forms part of the networked subsystem of control devices, in a second memory area of the primary control device; transmitting at least one operating module, provided for at least one determined instance of the multiplicity of programmable secondary control devices, independently from the primary control device to the at least one determined secondary control device at a predetermined time and/or as required; and programming the at least one determined secondary control device independently and for operational capability with the at least one operating module received from the primary control device using the base module; checking a hardware version of at least one programmable secondary control device by means of a checking device, wherein the primary control device is configured to store a multiplicity of operating modules with different version release for a defined secondary control device in an available manner; and, if the determined secondary control device is ascertained as being programmable, transmitting an operating module suitable for an ascertained hardware version to the defined secondary control device, and, if the determined secondary control device is ascertained as being non-programmable, skipping the determined secondary control device and transition to a secondary control device which is to be checked next.