Method and system for distributing software in a telecommunications network

A method for efficiently and reliably distributing software in a communications network, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a first message from a first network element to a second network element, a third network element, or both, said second network element connected by a single sub-network of the communications network to said first network element, and said first message including software;
• transmitting a second message from said second network element to said third network element if said first message is not sent to said third network element, said third network element connected by a single sub-network of the communications network to said first and second network elements, said second message transmitted in response to said first message, and said second message including at least a portion of said software;
• loading said at least a portion of said software onto said third network element based, at least in part, on information included within at least one of said first message and said second message;
• and
• transmitting a third message from said third network element to a fourth network element, said third message transmitted in response to said second message, and said third message including at least a portion of said software.

A system for efficiently and reliably distributing software in a network, comprising:

• a first network element, said first network element capable of transmitting a first message from said first network element to a group consisting of a second network element and a third network element;
• said first network element, said second network element, and said third network element in communication via a common sub-set of said network;
• said second network element adapted to receive said first message from said first network element and transmit a second message to said third network element if said first message is not sent to said third network element, said second message transmitted in response to said first message, and said second message including software;
• wherein said third network element loads at least a portion of said software received as part of at least one of said first message and said second message;
• and
• said third network element adapted to transmit a third message from said third network element to a fourth network element, said third message transmitted in response to said second message, and said third message including at least a portion of said software.