Abstract: A method and system are provided for optimizing the local caching of one or more data components available from a server node. Each of plural nodes connected to a local area network is provided with a locally physically present cache. Each of the caches of at least some of the plurality of nodes are linked together into a single virtual cache. A particular one of the nodes is designated as a repository node for persistently storing a particular data component and for providing a copy of the particular data component to other referencing nodes of the plurality of nodes which lack, but which desire to access, the particular data component. Designation of the particular node as the repository node is unchanged solely by providing a copy of the particular data component to one of the referencing nodes that desires to access the particular data component. The repository function of a node for a particular data component is relatively static.