A system and method to select a software distribution server to download
content from a server to a client, and to execute content on the server
for the client, is described. The system and method include a client able
to couple to any of the regions of a multi-region network. The client
queries a server system for an identification of network software
distribution servers. The client and/or server system select the software
distribution server according to criteria that include in one
implementation the network location of the client and the software
distribution servers. In one implementation, the network is a multi-LAN
network and the client and/or server system select the software
distribution server coupled to the same LAN as the client. In one
implementation, the client queries a server for an identification of
network management servers on the network, selects a network management
server coupled to the same LAN as the client, and queries the selected
network management server for an identification of a software
distribution server.