Data transfer over an IP network is effected in a manner that improves the use of available communications channels and makes possible enhanced data routing control and monitoring. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, data is transferred over an IP network having a plurality of communication links. An origin node coupled to the network supplies data to the network, and system nodes coupled to the network are adapted to store at least a portion of the data supplied by the origin node. Two or more servers are adapted to route data between at least one of the system nodes and the network. A network-distributed application routing controller is implemented throughout the network and ascertains location information of the data supplied by the origin node. A data request from one of the system nodes is received at the application routing controller. In response to the request, the supplied data is routed from a node on the network over at least one of the servers and via one or more communication links to the node at which the request has been made.