A framework of a service directory that can handle service records changing rapidly is provided by using a content-based routing network. A directory node for providing the service directory is called a data resolver. The data resolver listens for service advertisements for certain service categories from service providers, and stores such advertisement data in the form of service records in a local cache. If a data resolver receives a query for some services, it first looks in the cache. If the cache contains at least one service record that satisfies the query, the data resolver returns the record. Otherwise, the data resolver issues a secondary query corresponding to the query it received, to other data resolvers connected by the content-based routing network. Simultaneously, the data resolver begins listening for service advertisements (service records) from other data resolvers on the content-based routing network.