A system and method for re-mapping location-independent addresses in a computer network. A first node may send a first message addressed to a location-independent address, where the first message comprises a request to host an instance of the location-independent address. A second node with which the location-independent address is associated may receive the first message, possibly after the first message was propagated through a path of intermediate nodes. The second node may send a response message to the first node, where the response message indicates whether the second node is granting permission to the first node to host an instance of the location-independent address. The response message may also specify whether the second node is giving up its own instance of the location-independent address.