Method and apparatus for updating industrial assets

An apparatus, comprising:

• a first server, a second server, and a third server;
• an industrial device that is configured to broadcast a message to each of the first server, the second server, and the third server, the industrial device including a processor and a sensor, the industrial device being a switch, a valve, a medical device, a turbine, a windfarm, or an engine, the sensor measuring a value, the message including information identifying the type of the industrial device and indicating that the industrial device is to be configured, wherein a single one of the first server, the second server, and the third server has configuration information associated with the type of the industrial device, the broadcasting of the message continuing from the industrial device to all of the servers until the configuration information is received at the industrial device, and wherein ones of the first server, the second server, and the third server not having the configuration information ignore the message;
• wherein the first server includes the configuration information and retrieves the configuration information at the first server using the type;
• wherein the second server does not include the configuration information and ignores the message;
• wherein the third server does not include the configuration information and ignores the message;
• wherein the first server identifies the configuration information specifically associated with the type of the industrial device the first server being configured to transmit the configuration information to the industrial device and establish a secure link between the first server and the industrial device;
• wherein the industrial device receives the configuration information and responsively ceases the broadcasting, the industrial device subsequently being configured according to the configuration information, the configuring including entering a parameter value of a sensor or adjusting operation of the processor at the industrial machine, the industrial device identifying software needed to support the configuration and accessing the identified software from a storage unit according to the type of device indicated in the configuration information, the storage unit being separate from the first server, the second server, the third server and the industrial machine.