A system and method is provided whereby a client device adaptively optimizes the selection of a network device from a plurality of network devices hosting information desired by the client device. Each of the network devices hosting information desired by the client device is associated with a common host name and a different IP address, and the client selects an optimal network device based on a rank assigned to the one or more network devices. A rank assigned to the optimal network device indicates the greatest desirability, from the client device's perspective, of the optimal network device relative to the other network devices. Furthermore, the ranks assigned to the one or more network devices are adaptively determined based upon a determination of an estimated latency, determined from the client device's perspective, between the client device and the one or more network devices.