A method and system are disclosed for reliably distributing file data from
a single server to multiple client computers using a cyclical multicast
approach. By "cyclical," it is meant that data is distributed repeatedly
onto the network at a certain period. The server transmits metadata
asynchronously onto the network via a first communication channel, and
file data via a second communication channel. Both data sets are received
by one or more client devices operating a data catch module, which
listens for metadata and file data from the network via a first and
second communication channel. Once the metadata is received, the first
channel is disconnected, and the one or more client devices operating the
data catch module listen for file data for which the metadata is
associated. Any file data not received during one cycle can be received
by the client device in a subsequent cycle.