A method, which may be implemented by a program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for satisfying requests between a client and a server including the steps of providing a first entity with a directory of information about contents of a cache of a second entity, the first entity for receiving a request from a client, determining whether the directory of information indicates that the request is satisfied by the cache of the second entity by querying the directory of information on the first entity, sending the request to the second entity, if the directory indicates that the request is satisfied by the cache of the second entity, and otherwise, sending the request to be satisfied by another entity. A system is also included.