DATA DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND DATA DISTRIBUTION METHOD

The invention provides a data distribution system and method which can control distribution of data in a network configuration wherein the number of servers used in an initial stage of data distribution is comparatively small but is increased in accordance with a situation so that clients can access impartially. The data distribution system includes a distribution server, a plurality of reception servers, and a plurality of clients. The distribution server includes a distribution control section including an order determination section for calculating an evaluation value between each of the reception servers and the clients based on a predetermined evaluation expression and determining an order of the reception servers to which data are to be transmitted in accordance with the evaluation values. The order determination section executes an ideal solution calculation step, a permutation set production step and a selection order determination step to select the reception servers so as to be accessed impartially from the clients even if a reception server to be used for reception of data is increased.