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Abstract

A data processing system for distributing a package of data from a source to a plurality of data processing machines arranged in a plurality of sites. The data is transmitted from the source to the plurality of data processing machines by means of a multicast. At each site, a local data processing machine is designated as a site master; the other local data processing machines report missing data portions to the site master; and the site master consolidates reports of missing data portions, and requests missing data portions from the source. The source then transmits the missing data portions to the plurality of data processing machines by means of a further multicast. If the site master receives a report of missing data that the site master has stored locally, the site master provides that missing data to the local machines by means of a site multicast. Reports of missing data received by the source from site masters at different sites are consolidated at the source before the source transmits the missing data to the plurality of sites by means of the further multicast. If a local machine is missing data from the multicast from the source, and is not aware that a site master has been designated, that local machine broadcasts to machines at that site information indicating that a site master is required. If a site master is already designated, that site master notifies that local machine that it is the site master; but if no site master is already designated, an election process is instigated to designate one of the machines at that site as site master.

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First Claim