1. A method comprising: storing a master software image for a type of computing function to be deployed within a distributed computing system; generating a plurality of software image instances from the master software image for deployment within the distributed computing system; applying a software update to the master software image to generate an updated master software image; computing a first set of differences, wherein the first set of differences specifies any differences between the master software image and the updated master software image; computing second sets of differences, wherein each of the second sets of differences specifies any differences between the master software image and one of the software image instances; computing an intersection of the first set of differences and the second set of differences; reconciling any conflicts between the first set of differences and a respective one of the second sets of differences based on the intersection; updating the software image instances to include differences in the first set of differences and differences in the respective one of the second sets of differences after reconciliation; wherein the updated master software image and the one of the software image instances are different; and wherein the first set of differences is different from the second set of differences.