Streaming Media Interface for Dispersed Data Storage Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing streaming media systems do not effectively utilize dispersed data storage networks (DDSNs) for secure and reliable streaming, as they rely on traditional storage solutions like RAID and SANs, and lack integration with DDSNs for client-side access, leading to issues with network outages and quality scaling.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables streaming digital media from a DDSN to client computers, using a dispersed data storage network access component to read data segments and interface with media players, allowing for cross-platform compatibility and resilience to network outages through scalable encoding and intelligent ranking of slice servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional storage solutions (RAID and SANs) are used for streaming media, then system compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but security and reliability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dispersed data storage network (DDSN) as an intermediary layer between the streaming media system and the underlying storage infrastructure. The DDSN provides secure and reliable storage through distributed data slices across multiple servers, while the streaming media system interacts with it through standard interfaces, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving security and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the stored data into multiple data slices distributed across different servers in the DDSN. This segmentation provides redundancy and security since no single server holds the complete data, yet the system maintains ease of operation by presenting a unified storage interface to the streaming media application
2Reliability
If separate access computers are used to interface streaming media servers with DDSNs, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the streaming media server itself multi-functional by equipping it with both streaming capabilities and DDSN access capabilities. This eliminates the need for separate access computers, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability through the server's ability to directly access and stream data from the dispersed storage network
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the streaming media server and the DDSN access computer into a single integrated system. The streaming media server directly interfaces with the DDSN, combining data streaming and dispersed storage access functions, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating redundant components while maintaining access reliability
3Reliability
If data is stored in dispersed slices across multiple servers, then security and reliability are improved, but access speed and productivity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-establishing connections to multiple slice servers and maintaining data slices in ready-state across the dispersed network. When streaming is requested, the system can quickly assemble the required data segments from pre-positioned slices, reducing access latency despite the distributed nature of storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous data flow by maintaining multiple active connections to slice servers and implementing parallel data retrieval mechanisms. The streaming media server continuously accesses data slices from the DDSN in real-time, ensuring uninterrupted streaming while leveraging the distributed storage architecture for security and reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A client computer streams a digital media presentation from a dispersed data storage network including a plurality of slice servers. A dispersed data storage network access component streams data directly from the dispersed data storage network and passes data to a media player, also residing on the client computer.