DISTRIBUTED SERVICE PROVIDER

A station for a network apparatus, which includes interconnected by a communication link, includes a network connection; a self assessment module operable to determine a current status of the station including a measure of the stations available resources; a trust list that includes a station identifier for each other station which is designated as trusted to perform tasks for the station; and a broadcast unit operable to transmit service requests to the network. The service requests are directed to each other station in the trust list and request each other station to perform a task. The station also includes an answer unit operable to receive service requests from the network and transmit an acceptance or refusal message in response to the service request. The acceptance or refusal is decided based on the current status of the station as determined by the self assessment module.