A method for locating and retrieving distributed remote resources. A
request (2) for a resource is received by a server (3). The request may
be received from another server or from a user device (1). The request
may include an identifier for the resource in the form of a Uniform
Resource Name. The server (3) searches for the resource in a local
storage device (4). If the resource is found the server may send access
information for the resource or the resource itself to the original
requester. If the server (3) cannot locate the resource on the local
storage device (4) it will send the request to a plurality of servers (5,
8, 13). These servers may be those on a list (24) of neighbouring servers
or those accessible by sending (35) the request via a multicast method. A
server and system for implementing the method are also disclosed.