Demand-Based Edge Caching Video Content System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Video-on-demand systems face challenges with heavy resource allocation requirements, necessitating efficient content delivery methods to reduce server storage and network bandwidth usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a demand-based edge caching system that uses stub files to store metadata on local servers, directing content retrieval from a central server only when requested, thereby conserving storage and bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If content is stored on local edge servers, then content delivery speed is improved, but server storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments content information into two parts: a small stub file containing metadata and location information stored on edge servers, and the actual large content files stored on central servers. This segmentation allows edge servers to provide fast content delivery information without storing the entire content, thus improving delivery speed while minimizing storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy (stub file) that references the original content location instead of copying the entire content file to edge servers. The stub file is a lightweight representation that enables fast access to content information without duplicating the full content, resolving the contradiction between delivery speed and storage requirements.
2Reliability
If vast amounts of content are stored on servers, then video-on-demand functionality is maintained, but resource allocation burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces stub files as intermediaries between the central content storage and edge servers. These stub files contain references to actual content locations and enable the system to maintain video-on-demand functionality without requiring edge servers to store vast amounts of content, thus reducing the resource allocation burden while preserving service reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing only the small stub files on edge servers before actual content requests. This preliminary placement of metadata enables fast content location and retrieval without requiring pre-storation of the entire content library on edge servers, maintaining functionality while reducing resource burden.
3Loss of energy
If content is cached on edge servers, then network bandwidth usage is reduced, but storage space on edge servers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the caching function into two layers: stub files are cached on edge servers to minimize storage space usage, while actual content remains on central servers. This segmentation reduces the storage burden on edge servers while still enabling efficient content delivery that reduces overall network bandwidth consumption compared to no caching at all.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of copying full content files to edge servers, the patent copies only the minimal necessary stub file information. This selective copying dramatically reduces the storage space required on edge servers while maintaining the bandwidth efficiency benefits of having local content references available.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (300) and system (200) for of conserving resources in a video-on-demand environment are provided. The method (300) includes storing a stub file (223) on an edge storage device while storing content (110) at a central storage device (222). When a video-on-demand request (440) is received, a resource management system (206) reads (305) the stub file (223) to determine a storage location at the central storage device (222). The resource management system (206) then retrieves the content (110) from the storage location determined from the stub file (223) and either stores it at an edge storage device (111) or delivers it the a subscriber device (109) to fulfill the video-on-demand request (440).