System and method for efficiently replicating a file among a plurality of recipients having improved scalability and reliability

摘要

A method of distributing a file from a first node to a plurality of recipient nodes comprises logically organizing a plurality of recipient nodes to which a file is to be distributed into a plurality of groups of recipient nodes. The file is partitioned into a plurality of subfiles. The file is distributed to a plurality of recipient nodes using a distribution technique comprising (a) an origin node attempting to communicate the plurality of subfiles to recipient nodes of the first group, (b) the plurality of recipient nodes of the first group attempting to exchange their respective subfiles received from the origin node, and (c) attempting to distribute the plurality of subfiles from at least one node of the first group to recipient nodes of a second group. The method further comprises detecting a failed node, and the distribution technique adapting to distribute the file to each non-failed node.