Method for selecting a resource to provide a requested service in a multicasting environment

A method for selecting a resource from a plurality of potential resources for providing a service in response to a service request, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a poller for polling at least two of the plurality of potential resources;
• providing a timer initiater for initiating a timer for each of the at least two of the plurality of potential resources at the time of said polling;
• providing a timer reset for resetting the timer when said potential resource responds to said poller with a signal representing that the potential resource is still in use;
• providing a time out disconnect for disconnecting a one of said at least two of the plurality of potential resources when the timer associated with said one potential resource reaches a predetermined time without being reset;
• determining aging services by estimating which of the potential services having a timer running is likely to be disconnected;
• disconnecting a one of the aging services from its associated resource prior to the expiration of the timer;
• and
• using the disconnected resource for providing the service in the service request.