Content Server Selection Using Access Network Location Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for selecting a content server in communication networks, such as CDN architectures, often fail to accurately determine the geographically closest server due to insufficient or inaccurate location information from IP addresses, especially in mobile and virtual private networks, leading to increased latency and costs.
Innovation Solution
A method where terminals receive location information from access networks, such as cellular or Wi-Fi, and include this information in content access requests, allowing selection servers to choose a content server that is both geographically and topologically close to the user, using lookup tables to correlate different access network location parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If CDN server infrastructure is brought closer to user endpoints, then network latency is reduced and content delivery performance is improved, but the complexity of selecting the optimal server from multiple distributed servers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a selection server as an intermediary component that receives content access requests from terminals, determines the terminal's location using DNS-based geolocation, and selects the optimal content server from multiple candidates. This intermediary handles the complexity of server selection centrally, allowing multiple CDN servers to be distributed closer to users without increasing terminal complexity.
2Measurement precision
If IP address information is used to determine terminal location, then server selection can be implemented, but the location information is insufficient or inaccurate in mobile and virtual private networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct IP address geolocation with a DNS-based geolocation system. Instead of relying on IP address patterns that fail in mobile and VPN environments, the system uses DNS queries to authoritative servers that can accurately determine terminal location regardless of the network environment, making the solution adaptable to various network types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple CDN servers host the same content across different locations, then content delivery flexibility and proximity to users are improved, but the challenge of selecting the best-positioned server becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The selection server implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring terminal locations through DNS-based geolocation and selecting content servers based on real-time proximity information. The system receives location feedback from DNS queries and uses this information to dynamically select the optimal server, ensuring content is delivered from the best-positioned server for each terminal.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for accessing a content hosted on a server selected as a function of the location of the user terminal. The invention relates to a method for accessing a content located in a telecommunications network implemented by a user terminal (10) connected to an equipment item (20) of at least one access network (60) of the telecommunications network. This method comprises a step of receiving at least one message originating from the equipment item, comprising an information item relating to the location of the said user terminal (10), a step of generating a request for access to a content comprising a location indication obtained on the basis of the information item extracted from the message, a step of dispatching the said access request generated to a server (110) able to select a contents server (50-1) and a step of receiving an address of the contents server selected (50-1).