1. A method of distributing a file from a first node to a plurality of recipient nodes, the method comprising: partitioning a file F into a plurality of subfiles; performing distribution of said file F to a plurality of recipient nodes using a distribution technique that comprises (a) attempting to distribute the plurality of subfiles from a first node to a first group of recipient nodes, wherein the first node attempts to communicate at least one subfile to each recipient node of said first group but not all of said plurality of subfiles to any recipient node of said first group, and (b) said plurality of recipient nodes of said first group attempting to exchange their respective subfiles received from said first node; detecting a failed node; and said distribution technique to distribute said file F to each non-failed node of said plurality of recipient nodes.