Patent ID: 7600006

Claim:
Software distribution system for a communications network comprising: an existing network of endpoints wherein each of the existing endpoints includes a software stored thereon that is compatible with the other endpoints on the network; a local area network providing a communication pathway for the existing network of endpoints; and an ancillary network of endpoints comprising, two or more ancillary endpoints in a peer-to-peer configuration, one of the ancillary endpoints being a distributor endpoint and having a target software stored thereon that is compatible with the software on the existing endpoints, a master device in bi-directional communication with the ancillary endpoints and providing the ancillary endpoints with an IP address, an isolated network providing a communication pathway for the ancillary network of endpoints, an administrator coupled to the isolated network and providing a plurality of control commands to the ancillary endpoints and the master device, the administrator commanding the distributor endpoint to distribute the target software to the ancillary endpoints and commanding the ancillary endpoints to send a status report to the master device, whereby, upon distribution of the target software, the ancillary network of endpoints communication pathway is severed and the ancillary endpoints are coupled to the local area network.