A process and a computer establish a data transfer from a provider (1, 2) that provides data to a consumer (9) that uses the data. A consumer (9) transmits a request message (probe) for requested data to a communications agent (5). In response, the communications agent (5) adds an entry for the request message (probe) to a requests list (AL). Subsequently, a provider (1, 2) transmits a registration message (Hello) to the communications agent (5). The communications agent (5) searches the requests list (AL) for an entry for a request message (probe) that matches the received registration message (Hello). If a matching entry is found in the requests list (AL), the communications agent (5) initiates a data transfer from the provider (1, 2) to the consumer (9).