System and method for responding to resource requests in distributed computer networks

A machine-readable medium encoded with a program for responding to a resource request from a requesting user node in a network of user nodes, said program containing instructions for performing the steps of:

• receiving a response to the resource request at a first user node of the network;
• determining whether or not to send the response back to the requesting user node;
• forwarding the response to a second user node of the network through a direct connection, when it is determined not to send the response to the requesting user node;
• and
• sending the response back to the requesting user node, when it is determined to send the response to the requesting user node.

A user node for use in a computer network of the type that includes a plurality of user nodes, with each of the user nodes being connected to at least one other user node through a direct connection, said user node comprising:

• a receiving interface for receiving a response to a resource request from a requesting user node;
• control means for deciding whether or not to send the response back to the requesting user node;
• and
• at least one transmitting interface for selectively forwarding the response to a second user node of the network through a direct connection or sending the response back to the requesting user node,
• wherein the transmitting interface forwards the response to the second user node when the control means decides not to send the response back to the requesting user node, and sends the response back to the requesting user node when the control means decides to send the response back to the requesting user node.