Cloud based peer assisted updates in a device management environment

1. A method implemented by a cloud based management server in a device management environment for performing peer assisted update deployment, the method comprising:

sending, to a first managed device of a group of managed devices, a first update command that specifies a source for obtaining an update that is to be deployed on each managed device in the group to cause each managed device in the group to be updated;

receiving, from the first managed device, a notification that the first managed device has obtained the update; and

sending, to each of at least one other managed device in the group, an additional update command that specifies the first managed device as a source for obtaining the update such that the update that is to be deployed on each managed device in the group is sent to the first managed device to enable the first managed device to be updated and then the first managed device functions as the source for the at least one other managed device in the group to obtain the update.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each managed device in the group is a thin client.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first update command specifies an on-premise server as the source for obtaining the update.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the update comprises one of an image or a package.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the notification that the first managed device has obtained the update also comprises a notification that the update has been installed on the first managed device.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in response to the notification and in conjunction with sending each additional update command, sending a command to the first managed device to remain awake to allow the first managed device to function as a master device for distributing the update to the at least one other managed device in the group.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

receiving, from each of the at least one other managed device in the group, a notification that the other managed device has obtained the update; and

in response, sending a command to the first managed device instructing the first managed device to cease functioning as a master device.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein ceasing functioning as a master device comprises allowing the first managed device to sleep when inactive.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one other managed device in the group comprises a specified number of managed devices, the specified number conforming to a maximum number of concurrent update commands that can specify the first managed device as the source for obtaining the update.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

receiving, from each of one or more of the at least one other managed device in the group, a notification that the other managed device has obtained the update; and

sending, to each of one or more additional managed devices in the group, an additional update command that specifies the first managed device as a source for obtaining the update.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one other managed device in the group, includes a second managed device, the method further comprising:

receiving, from the second managed device, a notification that the second managed device has obtained the update; and

sending, to each of at least one additional managed device in the group, an additional update command that specifies the second managed device as a source for obtaining the update.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the number of managed devices that the management server specifies as a source for obtaining the update is limited in accordance with a policy for managing load.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the number of update commands that the management server sends is limited in accordance with a policy for managing load.

14. A device management platform comprising:

a cloud based management server; and

a device agent configured to be installed on a number of devices to allow the devices to be managed by the management server as a group of managed devices;

wherein the management server is configured to select an initial subset of the group of managed devices to receive an update that is to be deployed on each managed device in the group to cause each managed device in the group to be updated and to send an update command to each managed device in the initial subset instructing each managed device in the initial subset to obtain the update from a server; and

wherein the management server is further configured to detect when each managed device in the initial subset has received the update and to send additional update commands to other managed devices in the group, each additional update command specifying a managed device in the initial subset as a source for obtaining the update.

15. The device management platform of claim 14 , wherein the server is an on-premise server.

16. The device management platform of claim 14 , wherein the management server, in conjunction with sending the additional update commands, is further configured to send a command to each managed device in the initial subset instructing each managed device in the initial subset to function as a master device for purposes of distributing the update to one or more of the other managed devices in the group.

17. The device management platform of claim 14 , wherein detecting when each managed device in the initial subset has received the update comprises receiving a notification from each managed device in the initial subset that the update was installed on the managed device.

18. The device management platform of claim 14 , wherein the management server is further configured to detect when each of the other managed devices in the group has received the update, and in response, send a command to each managed device in the initial subset instructing each managed device in the initial subset to cease functioning as a source for obtaining the update.

19. One or more computer storage media storing computer executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors implement a method for performing peer assisted update deployment, the method comprising:

receiving, at a cloud based management server, an indication of a group of managed devices that are to receive an update that is to be deployed on each managed device in the group to cause each managed device in the group to be updated;

selecting a subset of the group to receive the update;

commanding the subset to receive the update from a local server;

detecting when the subset has received the update;

commanding the subset to function as master devices for purposes of distributing the update to other managed devices in the group; and

commanding each of at least some of the other managed devices in the group to receive the update from one of the master devices such that the update that is to be deployed on each managed device in the group is sent to the subset to enable the subset to be updated and then the subset function as master devices for purposes of distributing the update to other managed devices in the group.

20. The computer storage media of claim 19 , wherein the method further comprises:

commanding at least one managed device in the subset to cease functioning as a master device in response to determining that all managed devices in the group have received the update or that an update window has lapsed.