Distributed CDN Content Acquisition Node Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) face limitations in handling high-bandwidth content acquisition due to centralized architectures, leading to scalability constraints, low resource utilization, high latency, and increased network costs, particularly when handling flash-crowds and user-generated content uploads.
Innovation Solution
A distributed content acquisition method and system that selects the most suitable server node based on the end-user's location, current node status, CPU requirements, and other monitoring parameters, allowing for efficient resource allocation and reducing replication costs by directing uploads to geographically closer nodes with lower loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a centralized architecture is used for content acquisition, then the system is simpler to manage, but the upload throughput and resource utilization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized content acquisition function into distributed acquisition nodes across the CDN network. Each node independently handles upload requests from users in its geographic region, dividing the monolithic acquisition process into parallel distributed operations that increase overall throughput while maintaining manageable complexity through modular node design
2Device complexity
If content is uploaded to a single origin server, then the architecture is simpler, but the latency and network costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by allowing users to upload content to the nearest geographically distributed acquisition node rather than a single distant origin server. Each node serves its local region with optimized network paths, reducing upload latency and network costs while maintaining architectural simplicity through standardized node functionality
3Productivity
If all CDN nodes are used for content distribution, then the distribution capability is maximized, but the resource utilization for content acquisition is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes CDN nodes universal by enabling them to perform both content distribution and content acquisition functions. Acquisition nodes handle uploads while distribution nodes serve content, allowing the same infrastructure to be used for both operations and significantly improving resource utilization efficiency without compromising distribution capability
4Productivity
If a distributed acquisition system is implemented, then the upload throughput and resource utilization improve, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that coordinates between users and distributed acquisition nodes, managing the complexity of the distributed system. This intermediary layer handles node selection, load balancing, and coordination tasks, allowing the distributed acquisition system to achieve high throughput while keeping system complexity manageable through centralized coordination
Data Source
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AI summary
In the method of the invention, said CDN comprises a plurality of server nodes, said content acquisition process is performed when an end-user requests uploading content and said method is characterised in that it comprises: - selecting, a central entity receiving an uploading request from said end-user, at least one of said plurality of server nodes according to location of said end user, current status of said plurality of server nodes, CPU requirements of said plurality of server nodes and/or any other monitoring parameter of said CDN; - directing, said central entity, said uploading request from said end-user to said at least one of said plurality of server nodes; and - uploading, said end-user, said content to said at least one of said plurality of server nodes upon acceptance of said uploading request by said at least one of said plurality of server nodes. The system of the invention is arranged to implement the method of the invention.