CDN Server Selection via BGP Route Cost Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) often prioritize low latency over cost-effectiveness and business considerations, leading to inefficient and costly content delivery, as they typically select content servers based solely on geographical proximity without considering business agreements or transmission costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) feeds to analyze route information, including available bandwidth and business rules, to select content servers within the CDN for content delivery, ensuring that the selection is based on both technical metrics like latency and business considerations such as cost and quality of service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the CDN selects the content server that is geographically nearest to the requesting device, then the latency is reduced and delivery speed is improved, but the cost increases due to transmission over expensive third-party networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameters from purely geographical distance to a composite metric that includes BGP route cost, network topology, and business policies. The DNS server evaluates multiple parameters (geographical proximity, BGP path cost, network topology) to select content servers, transforming the single-parameter selection into a multi-parameter optimization problem that balances speed and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces BGP route information as an intermediary layer between the DNS server and content server selection. The BGP feed provides routing cost and topology data that mediates the selection process, allowing the system to evaluate not just physical distance but also network path economics and structure before making server selection decisions.
2Loss of time
If the CDN prioritizes low latency server selection, then user experience is improved, but business agreements and quality of service requirements may not be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the server selection process dynamic by continuously evaluating BGP route information and applying business policies in real-time. Rather than static geographical mapping, the system dynamically adjusts server selection based on current network conditions, BGP route changes, and policy requirements, allowing it to adapt to changing latency and QoS conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where BGP route information is continuously monitored and fed back into the DNS resolution process. This feedback mechanism allows the CDN to adjust server selections based on evolving network conditions and policy compliance requirements, ensuring that both latency and QoS goals are met through iterative optimization.
3Device complexity
If the CDN uses traditional geographical proximity-based server selection, then the system complexity is low, but the cost-effectiveness and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the server selection process into distinct functional components: BGP feed processing, route cost calculation, policy rule application, and final server selection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve cost-effective selections, transforming a monolithic simple system into a modular efficient system.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, computer program products, and the like, for managing the distribution of content from a content distribution network (CDN). In general, the system receives a request for content from the CDN from a user of the network and determines a server within the CDN to provide the content to the user. In addition, the system of the present disclosure may determine a preferred server or group of servers from which the content is provided to the user. This preference may be based on information received from a Border Gateway Protocol feed or Interior Gateway Protocol feed and one or more business determinations, such as the cost of providing the content through the CDN and particular egress port associated with the CDN.