Content Acquisition via Probe Packet Path Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for efficiently acquiring content over the Internet face challenges such as high configuration costs in CDN systems, load balancing issues in P2P networks, and slow routing convergence due to dynamic cache nodes, leading to increased bandwidth consumption and access delays.
Innovation Solution
A method involving user equipment and cache nodes that send probe packets to determine the optimal path for content acquisition by calculating probabilities based on shortest distances and fragment quantities, reducing forwarding times and bandwidth consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If CDN system network is used to establish dedicated content cache nodes for storage and quick acquisition, then content acquisition efficiency is improved, but configuration cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables ordinary user equipment to automatically serve as cache nodes through local caching mechanisms. Users' devices store content fragments locally and share them with other users automatically, eliminating the need for dedicated cache nodes and reducing configuration costs while maintaining content acquisition efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes user equipment serve multiple functions: acting as both content consumer and cache provider. Ordinary devices perform content acquisition, local caching, and peer-to-peer sharing simultaneously, replacing specialized CDN infrastructure with multi-functional user devices
2Speed
If P2P system network is used to concurrently acquire different parts of content from different peers, then content acquisition speed is improved, but network position information is unavailable preventing nearby acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management node as an intermediary that maintains network position information and routing data. This intermediary enables P2P nodes to locate nearby cache nodes and optimize content acquisition paths without requiring each node to have complete network position information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a routing dimension to P2P content acquisition by incorporating network position information and path optimization. Instead of random peer selection, the system uses management nodes to provide directional guidance based on network topology, enabling nearby acquisition while maintaining P2P speed advantages
3Productivity
If router intercepts and repositions content requests to optimal storage devices, then content delivery is improved, but routing convergence is slow due to dynamic cache nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary routing setup through management nodes that pre-calculate and store optimal paths to cache nodes. When content is cached dynamically, the management node proactively updates routing information before requests arrive, eliminating slow convergence delays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where cache nodes report their status and position to management nodes in real-time. The management node uses this feedback to dynamically update routing tables and guide requests to optimal cache nodes, maintaining fast convergence despite cache dynamics
4Reliability
If router uses flooding or router advertisement to notify cache existence, then content routing is improved, but communication cost and bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the notification function from broadcast flooding and implements it through targeted unicast communication. The management node selectively notifies specific cache nodes about content availability based on actual caching status, eliminating unnecessary broadcast traffic while maintaining reliable notification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial notification instead of universal flooding. Only cache nodes that actually store requested content are notified, and only when relevant. This partial action approach maintains reliable cache notification while dramatically reducing bandwidth consumption compared to comprehensive flooding
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for acquiring a content, a user equipment and a cache node. The method includes: a user equipment requests a target content from a management node; the user equipment respectively receives a first probe packet and a second probe packet, wherein the first probe packet and the second probe packet are respectively sent by a first storage node and a second storage node determined by the management node, the first probe packet includes an identifier of a fragment of the target content and a shortest distance from the fragment to the user equipment on a first path, and the second probe packet includes the identifier of the fragment of the target content and a shortest distance from the fragment to the user equipment on a second path; the user equipment determines an optimal path according to the shortest distance from the fragment to the user equipment on the first path and the shortest distance from the fragment to the user equipment on the second path; and the user equipment sends a second acquiring request used for acquiring the fragment through the optimal path. By means of the above-mentioned manner, the present invention may reduce forwarding times of the fragment in a network, reduce a consumption of a bandwidth of the network and decrease an access delay of the user equipment.