Embodiments include a method, system, and computer program product for allocating data to storage in a network. A data item accessed by a server in the network is identified. A controller classifies the identified data item based on at least one of: a frequency of access requests for the data item by the server and an access time associated with providing the data item to the server once the server requests the data item. A memory of a switch in the network is selected for storing the data item based on the classification of the data item. The controller causes the data item to be stored in the memory of the switch, from which the data item is accessed by the server upon request.