Dynamic CDN Allocation via Client Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content delivery networks (CDNs) often fail to promptly recognize video delivery quality issues, leading to degraded user experiences, as they rely solely on internal analysis and may not adjust traffic allocation efficiently, resulting in prolonged service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic content delivery allocation system that allows content delivery services to analyze media program playback quality directly from client devices, adjusting traffic allocation among multiple CDNs based on quality of service metrics and cost considerations, enabling real-time re-allocation and improved service quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single CDN is used to deliver videos to clients, then the system structure is simple and cost-effective, but the system cannot promptly recognize and respond to video delivery quality issues, leading to degraded user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where client devices send playback quality information directly to the content delivery service. This external feedback loop allows the service to independently monitor CDN performance and quickly detect quality issues without relying on the CDN's internal analysis, thereby reducing response time while maintaining reliable video delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The content delivery service acts as an intermediary between client devices and CDNs. By receiving quality metrics directly from clients and using this information to dynamically allocate traffic among multiple CDNs, the service mediates the delivery process to ensure quality while maintaining system simplicity
2Reliability
If multiple CDNs are used with dynamic allocation, then the system can detect and respond to quality issues faster, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The content delivery service performs multiple functions: it manages multiple CDN connections, receives and processes quality feedback from clients, analyzes playback metrics, and dynamically allocates traffic. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single coordinating service rather than distributing it across multiple CDNs, maintaining operational simplicity while achieving reliable quality monitoring and fast response
3Reliability
If the CDN independently analyzes video delivery problems, then the CDN can adjust traffic allocation autonomously, but the content delivery service cannot independently monitor quality and must wait for user complaints
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a direct feedback channel from client devices to the content delivery service, where clients report playback quality metrics. This enables the service to independently detect quality issues in real-time without waiting for user complaints or relying solely on CDN analysis, significantly reducing the time to detect and respond to problems
Solution Approach 2:
Client devices actively participate in quality monitoring by collecting and transmitting their own playback metrics to the content delivery service. This self-service approach enables distributed quality assessment across the network, allowing the service to build a comprehensive view of delivery quality without additional infrastructure
Data Source
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AI summary
Particular embodiments allow a content delivery service to dynamically adjust how the service allocates content delivery traffic to multiple content delivery networks (CDNs). In one embodiment, the content delivery service may service enough requests for media programs that multiple CDNs are used. This allows the content delivery service to allocate traffic to different CDNs. Instead of solely relying on the CDN to provide quality of service solutions, the content delivery service may configure client devices to send information to it that allows the content delivery service to analyze the media program playback quality of service. Then, the content delivery service can adjust the allocation for the CDNs if a problem is detected at a specific CDN.