Content Steering Server Negotiation for Multi-CDN Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-Content Delivery Network (CDN) systems lack a mechanism for CDNs to communicate their load balancing requirements to the steering server, leading to inefficient load balancing that does not consider the dynamic capacity and performance changes of individual CDNs, resulting in suboptimal utilization and energy inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a content steering server that facilitates negotiations between CDNs to dynamically redistribute loads based on internal statistics such as power efficiency, profitability, and operational requirements, allowing CDNs to strategically adjust traffic loads and request load modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the steering server implements load balancing based solely on client QoE reports, then client experience is optimized, but CDN capacity utilization and energy efficiency are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where CDNs actively report their status, capacity, and preferences to the steering server. This enables the steering server to adjust load balancing decisions based on real-time CDN conditions, optimizing both client QoE and energy efficiency through continuous information exchange and adaptive routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static load balancing based on fixed QoE metrics to dynamic load balancing that incorporates real-time CDN status, capacity availability, and operational requirements. This allows the steering server to adapt routing decisions to changing CDN conditions, improving overall system efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If CDNs operate independently without communication with the steering server, then CDN operational independence is maintained, but load balancing optimization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The steering server acts as an intermediary that facilitates communication between CDNs and the load balancing system. CDNs can report their status and receive routing instructions through this intermediary without direct peer-to-peer communication, maintaining operational independence while enabling optimized load balancing through structured information exchange.
3Device complexity
If the steering server lacks CDN status updates, then system complexity is reduced, but load balancing cannot account for CDN capacity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary actions where CDNs proactively report their status, capacity, and operational requirements to the steering server before load balancing decisions are made. This advance information provision enables the steering server to make more accurate routing decisions without requiring complex real-time monitoring and negotiation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for multi-Content Delivery Network (CDN) load balancing are performed at a content steering server in a multi-CDN system, where the multi-CDN system includes a plurality of CDNs serving a plurality of clients. The content steering server receives from a first CDN of the plurality of CDNs a request to switch a first number of clients in the multi-CDN system. In response to receiving the request, the content steering server facilitates negotiations between the first CDN and at least one CDN of the plurality of CDNs, including determining a second number of clients in the multi-CDN system to be switched. Upon successful negotiations, the content steering server triggers the first CDN and the at least one CDN to switch the second number of clients between the first CDN and the at least one CDN.