CDN Mid-Tier Mapping via URL Hashing for Storage Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content delivery networks (CDNs) face inefficiencies and delays due to uneven distribution of content requests across metro mid-tier (MMT) content servers, leading to redundant storage and increased latency, as existing methods lack efficient mechanisms for mapping requests to specific MMT devices and updating Domain Name System (DNS) configurations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses hashing algorithms to map Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) to hostnames, allowing requests for specific content to be directed to a particular MMT device, thereby optimizing storage and scaling, and automatically updating DNS configurations to include new MMT devices, minimizing manual intervention and errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If content requests are distributed across multiple MMT devices without efficient mapping, then network coverage is improved, but storage redundancy increases and delivery latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments content requests into distinct groups based on URL hashing, assigning each segment to a specific MMT device. This segmentation eliminates overlap and redundancy by ensuring that each content request maps to exactly one MMT device through the hash function, resolving the storage redundancy issue while maintaining reliable delivery across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a URL-to-hostname mapping mechanism as an intermediary between content requests and MMT devices. This intermediary layer uses hashing algorithms to translate URLs into specific hostnames, which then resolve to dedicated MMT devices. This intermediary mapping system ensures efficient request routing without redundancy while maintaining network reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual DNS configuration is used for MMT devices, then configuration accuracy is improved, but administrative burden increases and deployment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service configuration where the system automatically generates and updates DNS records based on URL-to-hostname mappings. Instead of manual administrative configuration, the system autonomously manages DNS entries, eliminating human error while maintaining accuracy. This self-service approach dramatically reduces administrative burden and accelerates deployment when new MMT devices are added.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration actions by pre-establishing URL-to-hostname mappings before content delivery begins. The DNS configuration is prepared in advance through automated scripting, so when content delivery starts, the infrastructure is already optimized. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual intervention during deployment, improving both accuracy and speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, computer program products, and the like, for mapping requests for content received at a CDN to multiple mid-tier content servers. In an example, a method involves utilizing one or more hashing algorithms to map a URL associated with the mid-tier devices to one or more hostnames that may be utilized by the CDN to route requests for content to a particular mid-tier device when an edge device cannot service the request. In this manner, one content device of a particular metro receives requests for particular content and serves that content. By limiting the requests for particular content to a particular mid-tier device, storage may be more efficiently allocated across the mid-tier devices and content not replicated at multiple mid-tier devices.