摘要 |
<p>A server connected to a data network (11) for transmitting files over the data network to one of a plurality of destination servers (19) is adapted to spawn a software agent in response to a file to be transmitted and meeting certain preset criteria, such as file size. The software agent is associated with the file by at least the file's destination, and is transmitted over one or more routes to the destination to collect routing information, and returns to the source server. The associated file is then transmitted using the information collected. In an alternative embodiment the agent also collects validation information at the destination and returns same to the source server. The agent may also, in some embodiments, negotiate reserved bandwidth and security protocols or other validation information for transmission of the associated file at certain intermediate servers.</p> |