Anycast Overlay Network End User Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current content delivery networks (CDNs) face challenges in delivering traffic, particularly for zero-rated billing (0RB) and other traffic types, in a scalable manner, as existing techniques do not effectively utilize end-user location and server load conditions for routing decisions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an overlay network using anycast IP addresses and end-user mapping (EUM) mechanisms, which map client requests to the nearest available server machines based on client location, server liveness, and internet traffic conditions, enabling direct server return and efficient traffic routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional DNS-based mapping is used to route traffic to CDN servers, then traffic delivery is achieved, but the routing decisions do not effectively utilize end-user location and server load conditions, limiting scalability and performance optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic routing by introducing a mapping mechanism that continuously adapts routing decisions based on real-time server load conditions and end-user location data. The system dynamically selects optimal server destinations rather than using static DNS mappings, enabling the network to adapt to changing traffic patterns and server states, thus resolving the contradiction between scalability and routing optimization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by collecting and utilizing information about server load conditions and end-user locations to inform routing decisions. The mapping mechanism receives feedback about current network state and adjusts routing accordingly, allowing the system to optimize traffic delivery while maintaining scalability through data-driven routing choices
2Speed
If anycast IP addresses are used for traffic entry points, then traffic can be routed to nearest CDN locations, but the actual server selection must be optimized based on end-user location and server state, requiring additional mapping mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mapping mechanism that sits between the anycast IP address entry point and the actual server destinations. This intermediary layer translates anycast traffic into optimized unicast routes based on end-user location and server load, maintaining fast routing while adding intelligent selection capability without requiring fundamental changes to the anycast infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the traffic delivery function into distinct components: anycast IP addresses handle initial traffic entry and geographic routing to nearest locations, while the overlay mapping mechanism handles subsequent intelligent server selection. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, maintaining speed at the entry point while adding optimization capability in the overlay layer without significantly increasing overall system complexity
3Productivity
If direct server return is implemented, then traffic delivery efficiency is improved, but carrier zero-rating requirements must be met by maintaining specific IP address associations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal IP address assignment strategy where server machines are assigned IP addresses that serve multiple functions: they enable direct server return for efficiency while simultaneously being associated with specific carriers to support zero-rated billing requirements. The mapping mechanism is configured to recognize these multi-functional IP addresses and route traffic appropriately, allowing the system to achieve both efficiency and carrier billing compatibility through a single IP addressing scheme
Data Source
AI summary
An overlay network is enhanced to provide traffic delivery using anycast and end user mapping. An anycast IP address is associated with sets of forwarding machines positioned in the overlay network. These locations correspond with IP addresses for zero rated billing traffic. In response to receipt at a forwarding machine of a packet, the machine issues an end user mapping request to the mapping mechanism. The mapping request has an IP address associated with the client from which the end user request originates. The mapping mechanism resolves the request and provides a response to the request. The response is an IP address associated with a set of server machines distinct from the forwarding machine. The forwarding machine encapsulates the packet and proxies the connection to the identified server. The server receives the connection, decapsulates the request, and processes the packet. The server machine responds to the requesting client directly.