Efficient network bandwidth utilization in a distributed processing system

1. An apparatus comprising a computer processor, a computer memory operatively coupled to the computer processor, the computer memory having disposed within it computer program instructions that, when executed by the computer processor, cause the apparatus to carry out the steps of:

tracking bandwidth utilization on a network;

based on tracked bandwidth utilization, identifying a first set of future time periods during which future bandwidth utilization of said network, by a plurality of endpoint devices, is predicted to be below a predetermined threshold, wherein identifying the first set of future time periods comprises:

developing network usage patterns and classifications indicating future periods as corresponding to a particular level of bandwidth utilization;

monitoring endpoint usage of one of the plurality of endpoint devices;

creating an endpoint usage pattern based on the monitoring of the endpoint usage;

based on the endpoint usage pattern, identifying a second set of future time periods predicted to cones sand with endpoint usage below a predetermined endpoint usage threshold;

identifying at least one overlap time period that is included in both the first set and the second set of future time periods, wherein identifying the at least one overlap time period comprises matching at least one of the first set of future time periods wherein bandwidth utilization is predicted to be below the predetermined threshold and at least one of the second set of future time periods wherein endpoint usage is predicted to be below the predetermined endpoint usage threshold;

selecting, from the first set of future time periods, a particular time period to perform a network administrative task on an endpoint device of said plurality of endpoint devices, wherein selecting from the first set of future time periods, the particular time period to perform the network administrative task includes selecting the at least one overlap time period as the particular time period; and

performing the network administrative task during the selected particular time period.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by the computer processor, cause the apparatus to carry out the steps of estimating a length of time to perform the network administrative task; and

wherein selecting from the first set of future time periods, the particular time period to perform the network administrative task includes selecting the particular time period based on the estimated length of time.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein performance of the administrative task includes downloading a software module to the endpoint via the network.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the network administrative task includes powering down one or more devices associated with the network.

5. A computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising computer program instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to carry out the steps of:

tracking bandwidth utilization on a network;

based on tracked bandwidth utilization, identifying a first set of future time periods during which future bandwidth utilization of said network, by a plurality of endpoint devices, is predicted to be below a predetermined threshold, wherein identifying the first set of future time periods comprises:

developing network usage patterns and classifications indicating future periods as corresponding to a particular level of bandwidth utilization;

monitoring endpoint usage of one of the plurality of endpoint devices;

creating an endpoint usage pattern based on the monitoring of the endpoint usage;

based on the endpoint usage pattern, identifying a second set of future time periods predicted to cones s and with endpoint usage below a predetermined endpoint usage threshold;

identifying at least one overlap time period that is included in both the first set and the second set of future time periods, wherein identifying the at least one overlap time period comprises matching at least one of the first set of future time periods wherein bandwidth utilization is predicted to be below the predetermined threshold and at least one of the second set of future time periods wherein endpoint usage is predicted to be below the predetermined endpoint usage threshold;

selecting, from the first set of future time periods, a particular time period to perform a network administrative task on an endpoint device of said plurality of endpoint devices, wherein selecting from the first set of future time periods, the particular time period to perform the network administrative task includes selecting the at least one overlap time period as the particular time period; and

performing the network administrative task during the selected particular time period.

6. The computer program product of claim 5 further comprising computer program instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to carry out the steps of estimating a length of time to perform the network administrative task; and

wherein selecting from the first set of future time periods, the particular time period to perform the network administrative task includes selecting the particular time period based on the estimated length of time.

7. The computer program product of claim 5 wherein performance of the administrative task includes downloading a software module to the endpoint via the network.

8. The computer program product of claim 5 wherein the network administrative task includes powering down one or more devices associated with the network.

9. The computer program product of claim 5 wherein the computer readable medium comprises a storage medium.