Abstract: A mechanism for providing efficient use of peer cache space in large scale file distributions. A peer computer receives a download plan for a requested file. The download plan specifies a number of peer servers where the file is stored, a minimum number of peer servers required to store the file, and a saturation level for the file in the zone. When the peer computer downloads the file from one or more peer servers listed in the download plan, the peer computer determines whether the file is required to be cached at the peer computer by comparing the minimum number of peer servers in the plan required to store the file against the number of peer servers listed in the plan. If the minimum number required to store the file is greater the number of peer servers listed in the plan, the peer computer caches the file.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments provide a computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code for automatically replicating a file. A request to download a file is received from a requester. The location of the requester and of each server on the network is mapped. A determination of whether a copy of the file exists on a content server associated with the requester, based on the location of the requester and the location of the content server, is made. In response to a determination that a copy of the file does not exist on a content server associated with the requester, a content server associated with the requester to which to replicate the file based on the location of the requester and the location of the content server is determined. The requester is notified of the determined content server. The file is replicated to the determined content server.