A network for updating firmware, drivers, or application software facilitates the access to generated update packages by electronic devices and the update of firmware, drivers, content or application software in a fault tolerant mode. A "Bubbles" technique is employed to generate efficient and compact update packages. A "Bubbles" information is generated employing the "Bubbles" technique that is subsequently sent to the electronic devices as part of an update package. The "Bubbles" information and other related information is used in preprocessing activities and in other update related activities. For example, they are used to prepare the electronic device for an update to a different version of its firmware, software and/or content.