Content-Based Redirection in RTMP CDNs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Some client-server communication protocols, such as RTMP, do not support content-based redirection, which is essential in Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) where not all content is stored on every server, leading to inefficiencies in content delivery.
Innovation Solution
Adding an extra command or message to the communication protocol that allows clients to query servers for content availability before requesting, enabling redirection to alternative servers if the content is not locally available, using techniques like HTTP 302 redirects and CDN node hierarchies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If content-based redirection is not supported in the communication protocol, then the protocol maintains simplicity and compatibility, but content delivery efficiency deteriorates due to inability to redirect to alternative servers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the client query the server for content availability before initiating a content request. This advance check enables the client to determine whether the content is available at the current server or needs to be redirected to an alternative server, thereby improving content delivery efficiency without requiring complex protocol changes during the actual content transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary query mechanism between the client and server. The client sends a query message to check content availability, and the server responds with availability status. This intermediary step acts as a mediator that enables redirection decisions without fundamentally altering the core communication protocol, thus balancing efficiency improvement with protocol simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If content is not stored on every server in the CDN, then storage requirements are reduced and system scalability is improved, but content availability deteriorates without redirection capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the server respond to client queries with content availability status. When content is not available at the current server, the server provides information about alternative locations. This feedback mechanism enables the client to redirect to appropriate servers, ensuring content availability while maintaining CDN scalability
Solution Approach 2:
By performing content availability checks before content requests, the system preliminarily determines the appropriate server location. This preliminary action ensures that clients are directed to servers that actually have the content, maintaining reliability without requiring content duplication across all servers
Data Source
AI summary
Content-based redirection with respect to communication protocols whose standard configurations do not support such functionality is disclosed. In some embodiments, prior to requesting a content item, a client queries a server for the availability of the content item. In the event that the content item is available at the server, the server responds to the query indicating that the content item is available, and the client obtains the content item or a desired portion of the content item from the server. In the event that the content item is not available at the server, the server responds to the query indicating an alternative location at which the content item may be available, and the client redirects to the alternative location.