Updating machines while disconnected from an update source

Abstract

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments for updating a networked machine having at least a dormant state and an active state. In various embodiments, when the machine it is a dormant state, it listens to a network for candidate updates, that is, updates that may be applicable to the machine. In some embodiments, determining the candidate update is an applicable update for the machine may be based at least in part on a variety of reasons, including testing if it has already been applied, does not actually update some aspect of the machine, conflicts with an existing configuration of the machine, conflicts with a policy of the machine, etc. The machine may cache some or all of the candidate updates or applicable updates, where a variety of rationales or policies may be used to control update retention. When the machine enters an active state, such as a power on or non-sleep mode, or other active state, the machine may validate integrity of an applicable update if not done while the machine was dormant, and optionally choose to install it.