Abstract: A method for transferring idempotent and non-idempotent requests (repeatable and non-repeatable requests respectively) over a network between two or more computer systems. The method includes sending a series of messages over a network to perform the request. The method defines several types of messages: a request message, a response message, a slow request message, and an acknowledge message. A slow request is handled by sending a slow request message in response to a retransmitted request message. When the computer system which received the request message has completed the request, a response message is sent to the requesting computer system. The requesting computer system then transmits an acknowledge message to acknowledge receipt of the response if the requesting computer system has received a slow request message even if the request was idempotent. The method reduces the amount of request message traffic on a network of the type where messages are subject to loss.