CDN Routing via BGP Announcements for Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content delivery networks (CDNs) operate in a proprietary manner, preventing collaboration and content sharing between different CDN providers, which limits the efficiency and scalability of content distribution as the volume and diversity of content increase.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where cache servers in different CDNs can communicate and share content by using Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) announcements, textual resource identifier prefixes, and routing information databases to facilitate the forwarding of content requests and the management of caching hierarchies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary CDN structures are maintained to retain control over content caching, then content provider control is improved, but interoperability between different CDNs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal routing mechanism using BGP protocol that enables different proprietary CDN structures to interoperate through a common standard. Cache servers from different CDNs can exchange routing information and cooperate in content delivery while maintaining their individual proprietary characteristics, achieving multi-functionality across heterogeneous systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces BGP routing infrastructure as an intermediary layer between proprietary CDN cache servers. This intermediary enables communication and coordination between different CDN providers without requiring them to abandon their proprietary structures, allowing interoperability while preserving individual CDN control and independence.
2Productivity
If multiple disparate CDNs are implemented to serve increasing content volume, then content distribution capacity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content delivery system into independent CDN providers that each manage their own cache servers, while introducing a unified BGP routing layer that coordinates between segments. This segmentation allows multiple CDNs to operate independently to handle increasing content volume while the standardized routing protocol prevents system complexity from becoming unmanageable.
3Reliability
If proprietary cache structures are used to maintain security and control, then content security is improved, but information sharing between caches deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The BGP routing infrastructure acts as a secure intermediary that enables information sharing between proprietary caches without compromising their security boundaries. Cache servers can announce their capabilities and content availability through standardized BGP messages while maintaining control over their internal structures and the content they cache.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through BGP routing announcements where cache servers continuously share information about their content availability, capacity, and status. This feedback enables dynamic coordination and information sharing between proprietary caches while maintaining security through controlled announcement protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
An announcement protocol may allow disparate, and previously incompatible, content delivery network caches to exchange information and cache content for one another. Announcement data may be stored by the respective caches, and used to determine whether a cache is able to service an incoming request. URL prefixes may be included in the announcements to identify the content, and longest-match lookups may be used to help determine a secondary option when a first cache determines that it lacks a requested content.