A system and method for executing a query plan are disclosed. In the system and method, a join graph is generated to represent the query plan. The join graph includes a set of plan operations that are to be executed for implementing the join graph. The query plan is received by a distributed network of a logical index server and one or more selected physical index servers. Each physical index server receives a portion of the plan operations, and determines what plan data is needed to execute the portion of the plan operations. A system and method includes a process for determining what plan data is needed from other physical index servers, or what plan data is needed by other physical index servers.