Patent ID: 7240107

Claim:
A method of installing computer programs in a network having a set of computers comprising the steps of: providing a first installation computer having operating software and installation software; providing a set of at least one client computer broadcasting installation requests at a dynamically adjustable rate; in which a client computer initially broadcasts installation requests at an initial request rate and monitors the total installation request rate carried on said network, wherein said installation requests include requests for operating system software; and said client computer adjusts its own broadcast rate by comparing said total installation request rate with a target installation request rate and adjusting its own rate by an adjustment amount that depends on the difference between said total installation request rate and said target request rate; said first installing computer responds to a first installation request and installs both said operating software and installation software on a first client computer of said set of computers, thereby establishing said client computer as a secondary installation computer, and during which installation operation, said first installing computer ignores installation requests; upon completion of the first installation, both said first installing computer and said secondary installation computer service installation requests by installing both said operating software and installation software.