1. One or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform a method for updating one or more nodes of a data center in compliance with service models of service applications running within the data center, the method comprising: providing a group of nodes that are preselected for receiving an update; identifying a first node as a candidate for joining the group of nodes; determining whether the first node qualifies as an independent node with respect to members of the group of nodes by performing a comparison process comprising: (a) determining whether one or more tenants hosted by the first node correspond to tenants hosted by the members of the group of nodes, wherein one or more of the members of the group of nodes each host a plurality of tenants belonging to a plurality of service applications, respectively; (b) when the one or more tenants hosted by the first node correspond to any of the tenants within the group of nodes, comparing update domains assigned to the corresponding tenants against update domains assigned to the one or more hosted tenants; and (c) when the update domains of the corresponding tenants match the update domains assigned to the one or more hosted tenants, allowing the first node to join the group of nodes; and upon determining that the first node qualifies as an independent node, writing to a storage location an indicia that the first node is joined as a member of the group of nodes.