CDN Cache Node Expedited Sub-Resource Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content delivery networks (CDNs) face delays in rendering web pages due to the lack of caching for frequently changing sub-resources like JavaScript files, which leads to slow page loading as browsers wait for these resources to be downloaded and executed before continuing the parsing process.
Innovation Solution
Implementing expedited sub-resource loading by having cache nodes proactively fetch and pre-load required sub-resources, such as JavaScript files, before receiving an explicit request from the user, and potentially reordering them within the primary resource to prioritize their retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sub-resources like JavaScript files are not cached in CDN nodes, then the CDN can avoid storing frequently changing content, but web page rendering speed decreases due to download delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the CDN node proactively fetch and cache sub-resources (JavaScript files, CSS files) before they are actually requested by the user's browser. When the main HTML page is requested, the CDN node automatically retrieves linked sub-resources in advance and stores them in its cache, so they are immediately available when the browser needs them, eliminating wait times without compromising content freshness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the resource loading process into two phases: first loading the main HTML page, then separately fetching sub-resources. The CDN node identifies and extracts sub-resource references from the HTML page, then retrieves them independently and caches them separately, allowing the browser to continue parsing HTML while sub-resources are being prepared in the background.
2Reliability
If the browser waits for JavaScript files to be downloaded before continuing parsing, then script execution can be ensured, but overall page loading speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The CDN node performs preliminary fetching of JavaScript files and other sub-resources before the browser actually requests them. By the time the browser reaches the script tags during parsing, the CDN has already retrieved and cached the necessary files, allowing the browser to continue parsing without interruption while scripts are prepared in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous parsing of the HTML page by the browser while the CDN node simultaneously fetches sub-resources in the background. The browser does not need to pause its parsing workflow, maintaining continuous productive action, while the CDN node handles sub-resource retrieval parallel to the main page delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatus, and software for pre-fetching and/or pre-loading sub-resources used in rendering HTML files, web pages and the like are provided herein. Implementations include expedited sub-resource loading in which a cache node or other content delivery network component receives a first end user device request seeking a primary resource (e.g., an HTML file). Using information in the first request, the content delivery network pre-fetches one or more identified sub-resources (e.g., JavaScript code) required for rendering of the HTML file. Pre-fetched sub-resources are held by the cache node. During parsing of the HTML file by the end user device, a web browser or other application requires the sub-resource(s) and the end user device thus sends a second request to the cache node asking for the required sub-resource(s). The cache node sends the requested, pre-fetched sub-resource(s).