1. A computer-implemented method in a data processing system for controlling a distribution of a system management product in a computer network, comprising: broadcasting a request to a set of computers in the computer network, the set of computers comprising servers and workstations arranged in a hierarchy, the request being sent to each computer in the set of computers at an equal or lower level of the hierarchy; determining whether each computer in the set of computers is subject to a management authority of the data processing system according to the hierarchy; receiving a reply from a computer in the set of computers, the reply comprising status information that indicates whether the computer is subject to the management authority, and responsive to a determination that the computer in the set of computers is subject to the management authority, managing the distribution of the system management product by the data processing system.