Edge Cache Static Asset Deduplication and Reordering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caching techniques for web content at edge networks fail to efficiently deduplicate and re-order static assets, leading to suboptimal browser performance due to duplicate asset loading and inefficient processing, which affects page rendering speed and cacheability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing static asset deduplication and re-ordering techniques at edge servers using edge-side include (ESI) instructions, which identify and eliminate duplicate static assets and resequence their loading to optimize placement, allowing for faster processing and improved cacheability without requiring knowledge of other components on the page.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If static assets are loaded multiple times from edge cache, then cache hit rate increases, but page rendering speed decreases due to duplicate asset processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts duplicate static asset references from the webpage and eliminates them by redirecting subsequent references to the first asset's URL. This removes the harmful duplication while preserving cacheability, as the unique asset URLs can be efficiently cached and served.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of asset references by redirecting duplicate references to point to the first asset's URL instead of creating new references. This parameter change (URL redirection) eliminates duplicate processing while maintaining the caching benefit of serving assets from edge cache.
2Ease of manufacture
If static assets are processed in original webpage order, then asset delivery simplicity is maintained, but processing efficiency decreases due to suboptimal loading sequence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of static assets during the webpage processing stage, identifying duplicates and determining optimal loading orders before the assets are actually delivered. This preliminary action (asset analysis and deduplication) enables optimized delivery without adding complexity to the actual asset serving process.
3Loss of time
If duplicate static assets are eliminated through deduplication, then page load time reduces, but cacheability may be affected due to asset reordering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (edge server with deduplication logic) that sits between the origin server and the edge cache. This intermediary analyzes assets, eliminates duplicates, and redirects references to unique assets, thereby reducing page load time while maintaining cacheability through consistent asset URL redirection.
4Productivity
If asset references are redirected to first asset URL, then duplicate processing is eliminated, but asset reference complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complicating the asset delivery system with complex deduplication logic, the patent inverts the approach by using simple URL redirection at the edge server. The complexity is shifted to the reference generation stage (creating redirected references) rather than the delivery stage, simplifying the overall asset serving infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques for edge cache static asset optimization are described herein. A set of tracking instructions may be generated for execution at an edge cache server of the content delivery system. A static asset may be identified that is included in a webpage delivery session. A type may be determined for the static asset. The static asset may be grouped with a set of other static assets based on the type. The webpage request may be processed by processing the static asset. The set of tracking instructions may be transmitted to an edge cache server for storage in an edge cache of an edge network.