Data is relocated among data storage nodes in a data center by using distributed agents. An agent at a first data storage node manages the relocation of associated data to a second data storage node, as well as the relocation of a mirror copy of the data at a third data storage node to a fourth data storage node, by receiving status information, such as via a publish-subscribe technique. The first agent may provide an identifier with a relocation request to the third data storage node which is relayed to the fourth data storage node, and used in status messages provided by the third and fourth data storage nodes. The received status information is then associated with the relocation request. Agents for each pair of sending and receiving data storage nodes can monitor their availability for servicing the relocation to negotiate an acceptable transmission rate.