A server is equipped with a distributor/updater to accept periodic check
in by client computers to determine if the client computers' software
needs to be updated. The distributor/updater is designed to provide each
client computer, determined to require update, with a task list listing a
number of tasks to be asynchronously performed at a later point or later
points in time by the client computer to update the client computer's
software. The tasks may include asynchronous subsequent requests of the
server or third party servers for software parts. The tasks also include
installation tasks to be performed upon obtaining the required software
parts. The client computer is also equipped with a complementary
distributor/updater to perform the periodic check-in and to schedule the
update tasks accordingly. In one embodiment, the server's
distributor/updater is also designed to be able to regulate its own
workload, optionally asking parts requesting clients to retry later.