uuend

uuend is a fictional software framework described as an open standard and reference implementation for coordinating software updates across heterogeneous networks. The project aims to minimize disruption, reduce bandwidth usage, and improve security through verifiable provenance. The name is derived from a root meaning “renewal” in Estonian, signaling its purpose to refresh software ecosystems.

Overview

uuend envisions update origin servers publishing cryptographically signed manifests that describe available updates and their dependencies. Client agents fetch manifests, validate signatures, and retrieve payloads using delta-encoding where possible. Updates are applied atomically, and failures trigger safe rollback to a known-good state.

Architecture

The architecture comprises a central manifest service, content-addressable storage, and client daemons on devices. Optional peer-to-peer distribution can reduce load on origin servers. A policy layer allows organizations to customize update windows, rollback procedures, and approval workflows.

Security and integrity

All updates are signed with public-key cryptography; provenance and integrity are verified by the client before installation. Audit logs record update events for compliance and debugging.

History and status

uuend was conceived in a cross-industry collaboration in the mid-2010s as a theoretical framework and reference implementation. It has since appeared in academic papers and hobbyist projects, serving as a model for discussions about scalable and secure software updates.

See also

Software update, delta encoding, content-addressable storage, verifiable update, peer-to-peer distribution.