Embodiment of the disclosure set forth resource allocation in a wireless network. Some example methods include selecting a node based on probability of having available data at the node, sending an inquiry to the node, deriving a first set of average cost estimates based on a first step-size function, network information measured at the node, and a predetermined value, calculating a second set of threshold values based on a second step-size function and the first set of average cost estimates, updating the second set of values to generate a third set of threshold values based on the predetermined value, and allocating resources for the node based on the third set of threshold values.