Distributed coordination of caching and processing by networking devices

In one embodiment, a device in a network receives one or more data units. The device calculates a hash value based on the one or more data units and using a hash function. Ranges of hash values generated by the hash function are assigned to different devices along the path such that any given hash value generated by the hash function is assigned to a predefined number of the devices along the path. The device determines whether the calculated hash value is within the range of hash values assigned to the device. The device stores data derived from the one or more data units, when the device determines that the calculated hash value is within the range of hash values assigned to the device.