System and method for hierarchical caching and cache replacement

A system and method for hierarchically caching objects includes one or more level 1 nodes, each including at least one level 1 cache; one or more level 2 nodes within which the objects are permanently stored or generated upon request, each level 2 node coupled to at least one of the one or more level 1 nodes and including one or more level 2 caches; and a storage control device for storing, in a coordinated manner, one or more objects in at least one level 1 cache and/or at least one level 2 cache, based on a set of one or more criteria. Furthermore, in a system for receiving requests for objects from one or more clients, the system having a set of one or more level 1 nodes, each containing at least one level 1 cache, a method for managing a level 1 cache includes the steps of applying, for part of the at least one level 1 cache, a cache replacement policy designed to minimize utilization of a set of one or more resources in the system; and using, for other parts of the at least on level 1 cache, one or more other cache replacement policies designed to minimize utilization of one or more other sets of one or more resources in the system.