Method and apparatus for offline cooperative file distribution using cache nodes

A cooperative method for transferring a file from a sender to a receiver, comprising the steps of:

• receiving an indication from said sender that said sender has said file;
• determining if said receiver is online;
• obtaining a list of potential storage proxies for transferring said file from said sender to said receiver if said receiver is not online;
• and
• initiating a transfer of said file from said sender to said receiver using one or more of said potential storage proxies.

A cooperative method for sending a file from a sender to a receiver, comprising the steps of:

• sending an indication to a central tracker that said sender has said file;
• receiving a list of potential storage proxies for storing said file while said receiver is unavailable;
• sending a request to one or more of said storage proxies from said list of storage proxies to act as a storage proxy between said sender and said receiver;
• and
• transferring said file to said one or more of said potential storage proxies.

A cooperative method for sending a file from a sender to a receiver, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a request to act as a storage proxy for storing said file while said receiver is unavailable;
• comparing one or more resource measures to predefined criteria;
• and
• providing an acceptance if said one or more resource measures satisfy said predefined criteria.

A cooperative method performed by a receiver for receiving a file from a sender, comprising the steps of:

• sending a connection message to a central tracker to obtain said file;
• receiving a notification of one or more storage proxies that stored at least a portion of said file while said receiver was unavailable;
• and
• obtaining said at least a portion of said file from said one or more storage proxies.

A cooperative system for transferring a file from a sender to a receiver, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to:
• receive an indication from said sender that said sender has said file;
• determine if said receiver is online;
• and
• initiate a storage of said file on one or more storage proxies if said receiver is not online.

A cooperative system for transferring a file from a sender to a receiver, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to:
• receive an indication from said sender that said sender has said file;
• determine if said receiver is online;
• obtain a list of potential storage proxies for transferring said file from said sender to said receiver if said receiver is not online;
• and
• initiate a transfer of said file from said sender to said receiver using one or more of said potential storage proxies.

A cooperative system for sending a file from a sender to a receiver, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to:
• send an indication to a central tracker that said sender has said file;
• receive a list of potential storage proxies for storing said file while said receiver is unavailable;
• send a request to one or more of said storage proxies from said list of storage proxies to act as a storage proxy between said sender and said receiver;
• and
• transfer said file to said one or more of said potential storage proxies.

A system for identifying one or more storage proxies for transferring a file from a sender to a receiver, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to:
• identify one or more storage proxies that can store said file while said receiver is unavailable and satisfy one or more predefined resource criteria;
• and
• provide a list of potential storage proxies for transferring said file from said sender to said receiver.

A cooperative system for sending a file from a sender to a receiver, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to:
• receive a request to act as a storage proxy for storing said file while said receiver is unavailable;
• compare one or more resource measures to predefined criteria;
• and
• provide an acceptance if said one or more resource measures satisfy said predefined criteria.

A cooperative system for receiving a file from a sender, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to:
• send a connection message to a central tracker to obtain said file;
• receive a notification of one or more storage proxies that stored at least a portion of said file while said receiver was unavailable;
• and
• obtain said at least a portion of said file from said one or more storage proxies.