CDN Edge Cache Shutdown via Network Redirect
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional content delivery networks (CDNs) face challenges in efficiently managing resource utilization and energy efficiency, particularly in scaling down edge caches without disrupting client content delivery and incurring significant energy wastage when servers operate under capacity.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors edge caches for underutilization, redirects client requests to another cache, and performs a controlled shutdown of the underutilized cache using methods such as virtual IP address reassignment, DNS mapping changes, or load balancer groups, ensuring seamless content delivery and minimizing disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional cluster shutdown is used to save energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but client content delivery is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting underutilization conditions and initiating a shutdown sequence before the cache actually stops serving content. This includes stopping content insertion, flushing content to backup caches, and coordinating with network resources to redirect traffic, ensuring seamless continuity while enabling energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary mechanisms including backup caches that hold content during the shutdown process, and network resource intermediaries (such as DNS or load balancers) that redirect client requests away from the shutting-down cache. These intermediaries ensure no disruption to clients while the target cache is scaled down.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If edge caches are shut down to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but service availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of edge caches based on real-time utilization metrics. Caches transition between active, standby, and shutdown states according to demand, allowing the CDN to optimize energy consumption while maintaining service availability through flexible, adaptive resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by modifying traffic routing parameters (through DNS or load balancer updates) and cache state parameters (content insertion status, operational mode) to enable smooth transitions from active to shutdown state without impacting service availability.
3Reliability
If traffic is redirected during cache shutdown, then service continuity is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal redirection mechanisms that can be applied across multiple caches and CDN configurations. The same shutdown orchestration framework, traffic redirection logic, and backup cache mechanisms work consistently regardless of which specific cache is being scaled down, reducing operational complexity through standardized procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In one embodiment, a system for orchestration of a content delivery network (CDN) includes a processor (22), and a memory (24) to store data used by the processor (22), wherein the processor (22) is operative to monitor a plurality of edge caches in the CDN, determine that a first edge cache (16-A) of the plurality of edge caches (16) should be shutdown, determine that any clients (30) downloading content from the first edge cache (16-A) should continue downloading the content from a second edge cache (16-B) of the plurality of edge caches (16), instruct a network resource (18) to perform an action so that client content requests addressed to the first edge cache (16-A) are directed to the second edge cache(16-B), without the first edge cache (16-A) needing to receive the client content requests, and trigger shutdown of the first edge cache (16-A). Related apparatus and methods are also described.