SDN Controller Server Selection for QoS in Content Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In unstable network conditions, existing content delivery systems in Software Defined Networks (SDNs) face challenges in maintaining quality of service (QoS) for content delivery, particularly when network congestion occurs, leading to forced rate limiting or quality degradation for users.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determines the relative priority of content delivery servers based on parameters and configuration files, identifies the optimal server, and slices network resources to ensure efficient content delivery via the shortest path, preventing quality degradation even under congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Adaptive Bit-rate (ABR) is used to adjust video resolution based on end-to-end network conditions, then the video player can adapt to network variability, but content delivery quality does not improve when network congestion occurs due to server or link bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (SDN controller with centralized management) that mediates between content delivery servers and clients, enabling dynamic path selection and resource allocation. This intermediary layer allows the system to respond to congestion by rerouting traffic through alternative paths or selecting different servers, rather than relying solely on client-side adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic server selection and path routing based on real-time network conditions. The SDN controller continuously monitors network state and dynamically adjusts content delivery parameters, including selecting optimal servers and determining routing paths, rather than using static configurations.
2Productivity
If rate limiting or lower bit rate streaming is implemented on the subscriber side to handle network congestion, then content delivery can continue, but quality of service deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing quality at the client side when congestion occurs, the patent inverts the approach by maintaining high quality content delivery through server-side and network-side interventions. The SDN controller selects optimal servers and paths to ensure high-quality delivery even during congestion, rather than degrading quality as a fallback.
3Reliability
If multiple content delivery servers are available, then content delivery can be maintained under various conditions, but determining the optimal server becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the server selection complexity from the distributed system and centralizes it in an SDN controller. The controller maintains a centralized view of server status, network conditions, and content availability, making selection decisions centrally rather than requiring complex distributed algorithms at each client or server.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the SDN controller continuously monitors network conditions, server performance, and content delivery status. This feedback loop enables the controller to dynamically adjust server selections based on real-time information about network congestion, server load, and content availability.
4Reliability
If network resources are not sliced and managed, then network infrastructure remains simple, but quality of service cannot be guaranteed during network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies network slicing by segmenting network resources into dedicated virtual networks or channels for content delivery. This segmentation allows the system to guarantee QoS by allocating specific bandwidth and resources to content delivery traffic, separating it from other network traffic and ensuring predictable performance during congestion.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an application server to achieve improved quality of service (QoS) for content delivery in a communication network is disclosed. The application server receives a request from a client device to deliver content to the client device. The application server determines a relative priority of each of a plurality of content delivery servers in the communication network based on at least one of one or more parameters and a configuration file. The application server identifies at least one content delivery server from the plurality of content delivery servers based on relative priority. The application server identifies a shortest path for the content delivery between the identified at least one content delivery server and the client device based on one or more pre-defined rules. The application server further transmits the content from the identified at least one content delivery server to the client device via the identified shortest path.