In certain embodiments, replicating data elements includes calculating a key value for a data element. The key value is calculated from at least a part of content of the first data element. K computing elements are automatically selected from X computing element nodes according to the key value and a mapping schema. K is a greater than 2 and less than X. The computing element nodes each include computer-readable memory embodied within one or more routers. K replications of the data element are automatically written to the computer-readable memory of the K computing element nodes.