Patent ID: 8458333

Claim:
A system for delivering information over a distribution network using a distribution manager, including: a processor; and a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to provide the processor with instructions which when executed cause the processor to: receive a first request for content from a first destination peer; designate at the distribution manager a first source peer to function as a first content source for the first destination peer; receive a second request for the content from a second destination peer; determine an anticipated effect that the designation at the distribution manager of the first source peer to function as a first content source for the first destination peer has on the ability of the first source peer to function as a content source for the second destination peer; determine whether to designate the first source peer as a content source for the second destination peer based at least in part on the determined anticipated effect; and in the event that it is determined not to designate the first source peer as a content source for the second destination peer: designate at the distribution manager a second source peer to function as a second content source for the second destination peer; and in the event that it is determined to designate the first source peer as a content source for the second destination peer: designate at the distribution manager the first source peer to function as a content source for the second destination peer.