In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method for selecting a server to provide content to a client is presented. A media controller receives a request from a client for content. The media controller instructs a plurality of servers each storing the content required by the client to perform a bandwidth measurement referred to in the disclosure as a bandwidth probe. The result of the bandwidth probe is communicated to the media controller. The media controller selects a server (i.e., an identified server) for communication with the client based on the result and communicates the selection in the form of a redirect command to the client. The client then communicates directly with the identified server.