Method and system for identifying available resources in a peer-to-peer network

A method for a peer of a peer-to-peer network to search for an available resource is provided. The method initiates with representing a request for the available resource as a request bit string. The method includes transmitting the request to a parent of the peer. Then, an aggregate availability bit string associated with the parent is accessed. The aggregate availability bit string represents an aggregate resource availability for all children of the parent. Next, a logical operation is performed with the bits of the aggregate availability bit string and the bits of the request bit string. Then, it is determined whether any of the children of the parent are able to provide the available resource based upon a result of the logical operation. A peer-to-peer grid and a system for publishing and identifying an available resource in a peer-to-peer distributed network are also provided.