Abstract: This application describes a system, including methods and apparatus, for identifying and utilizing an optimum network node for delivery of data. The system may transfer requests from one serving location to another, even across various unrelated autonomous systems. In response to a user request for data, the system will select the preferred node based on various costs metrics measuring network performance and health, such as available bandwidth, available servers, server load, network security, latency, jitter, packet loss, financial costs, and then transfer the request to the selected serving location, even across various unrelated, intermediate, autonomous systems. The user request is then served transparently from an optimal serving location. The system operates with established network communication protocols.