Abstract: This invention relates to a method and protocol to enable a simple, reliable and highly scaleable data transfer facility in a digital data network. In communication a server and a client within a data processing system, the method of transferring data from the server to the client comprises requesting, by the client, transfer of the data in accordance with a transfer unit size specified by the client The server transmits the data in successive blocks having a size based on the client specified transfer unit size, till all the data has been transferred, and the server delays at least a predetermined time period between transmission of successive blocks. This connectionless, unacknowledged data transfer protocol minimizes resource utilization at the data server and is combined with source rate control to reduce congestion in the intervening network.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and protocol to enable a simple, reliable and highly scaleable data transfer facility in a digital data network. A connectionless, unacknowledged data transfer protocol minimizes resource utilization at a data server and is combined with source rate control to reduce congestion in the intervening network. The data transfer server implementing the protocol, operates by defining a circular ordering of individual scheduling timeslots having zero or more download records. The server selects in sequence, at a predetermined rate, the individual scheduling timeslots, and services, responsive to the selected timeslot having at least one download record, each record therein according to parameters in that record.