Network Edge Server Content Redirection for Streaming Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current streaming media applications over the Internet suffer from quality of service degradation due to network congestion and bandwidth limitations, leading to poor sound and picture quality, and require viewers to fully download segments before playback can begin.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using metadata for content replication and intelligent, automated distribution, redirecting content across network edge servers based on performance criteria, allowing for real-time redirection and optimized content delivery to client machines, thereby reducing the need for full segment downloads and improving quality of service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If streaming media is delivered over congested public networks, then content distribution reach is improved, but quality of service deteriorates due to network congestion and bandwidth limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments content delivery by dividing the network into multiple zones with deployed content servers. Each server handles a specific geographic or network segment, reducing the load on any single network path and preventing congestion-induced quality degradation while maintaining broad distribution reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary content servers positioned between the origin server and end users. These intermediaries cache and deliver content locally, reducing transmission distances and avoiding congested public network paths, thereby maintaining service quality while extending distribution capability.
2Reliability
If content is fully downloaded before playback, then quality of service is improved, but loss of time increases due to waiting for complete download
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-caching content segments on distributed content servers before users request them. This allows users to immediately access content from local servers without waiting for complete downloads from origin servers, eliminating waiting time while maintaining quality through controlled segment delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If content is delivered over low-bandwidth connections, then adaptability is improved, but quality of service deteriorates due to bandwidth limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by delivering different quality levels of content segments based on the specific network conditions of each user. Content servers analyze individual connection characteristics and serve appropriately encoded segments, ensuring high quality where bandwidth permits and adapted quality on constrained connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes parameters such as segment size, encoding format, and delivery rate based on detected network conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains content quality on high-bandwidth connections while ensuring compatibility and acceptable quality on low-bandwidth connections through optimized segment delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
Content stored in association with metadata is automatically redirected over coupled computer networks. A portal is configured to deliver the stored content to a plurality of distributed client machines via one or more designated network edge servers. The portal receives content requests from a particular client machine and utilizes the metadata to provide content portions to a first network edge server for delivery to the particular client machine. Modules such as software modules selectively provide either the first portion of the content or a further portion of the content to a second network edge server while automatically redirecting the particular client machine to the second network edge server in real-time. Redirection is performed in accordance with predetermined criteria which is preferably related to the performance of the network branch that includes the first network edge server.