Hybrid CDN and P2P Network Mapping for Content Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peer-to-peer networks face challenges in intelligently locating other peers for content delivery, leading to inefficiencies in content distribution.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid content delivery network (CDN) and peer-to-peer (P2P) network model is implemented, where CDN mapping systems facilitate peer location and resource allocation based on load and traffic conditions, allowing peers to leverage CDN infrastructure for content delivery and utilizing P2P networks as a failover or primary delivery mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a pure peer-to-peer network is used for content delivery, then cost is reduced by utilizing participant computing power and bandwidth, but content delivery performance and reliability deteriorate due to lack of intelligent peer location and ad hoc connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CDN and P2P networks into a hybrid architecture where CDN servers and P2P peers coexist and cooperate. CDN infrastructure provides reliable content storage and intelligent routing, while P2P peers provide additional bandwidth and reduce costs. The mapping system integrates both CDN servers and P2P peers into a unified network fabric, allowing seamless content delivery from either source based on availability and performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The CDN mapping system acts as an intermediary between content requesters and P2P peers. Instead of direct peer-to-peer connections, the mapping system receives requests, locates appropriate P2P peers (or CDN servers), and facilitates content delivery. This intermediary approach provides intelligent routing, load balancing, and fallback mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while still utilizing P2P resources.
2Reliability
If CDN edge network is used for content delivery, then content delivery performance is improved through dedicated servers and intelligent routing, but cost increases due to dedicated infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on expensive CDN infrastructure, the system uses CDN resources partially for priming and high-priority content, while leveraging P2P peers for the remainder of content delivery. The CDN edge network primes the P2P network by seeding content to selected peers, after which those peers independently serve content requests. This partial use of CDN resources maintains performance while reducing overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameter of content delivery source selection based on various conditions including load, traffic patterns, and peer availability. The mapping system can switch between serving content from CDN servers or P2P peers depending on real-time parameters, optimizing the balance between performance and cost. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to utilize cheaper P2P resources when conditions permit while maintaining reliability.
3Loss of energy
If P2P network takes over content delivery from CDN, then cost is reduced and CDN infrastructure is optimized, but peer location efficiency deteriorates due to ad hoc connections
Solution Approach 1:
The CDN edge network performs preliminary action by priming the P2P network before full P2P takeover. Selected P2P peers are pre-seeded with content by CDN servers, and the mapping system pre-establishes knowledge of available P2P peers and their content holdings. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming peer discovery and content verification during actual delivery, making P2P takeovers efficient and cost-effective.
Data Source
AI summary
A content delivery network (CDN) typically includes a mapping system for directing requests to CDN servers. One or more peer machines become associated with the CDN, and the CDN mapping system is then used to enable a given peer to locate another peer in the P2P network, and/or a CDN server. Using this hybrid approach, CDN customer content may be delivered from the CDN edge network, from the P2P network, or from both networks. In one embodiment, customer content is uploaded to the CDN and stored in the edge network, or in a storage network associated therewith. The CDN edge network is then used to prime the P2P network, which may be used to take over some of the content delivery requirements for the customer content. The decision of whether to use edge network or peer network resources for delivery may be based on load and traffic conditions.