Wide Area Request Distributor for Streaming Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia streaming service distribution in wide area networks faces inefficiencies due to inaccurate request routing, network bottlenecks, and inability to reflect real-time network conditions, leading to suboptimal service quality and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that select a local server nearest to the user terminal with node and service availability, using a static proximity table based on network topology and real-time measurements, and delivering service requests via the RTSP redirect method to ensure high-quality and reliable streaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If DNS-based request distribution is used, then request routing is simplified, but request distribution accuracy deteriorates due to broad user domains and multiple intermediate DNS servers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Wide Area Request Distributor (WARD) as an intermediary component that sits between the DNS system and local servers. WARD maintains a static proximity table that maps user domains to nearest local servers, bypassing the inaccuracies of DNS-based distribution. This intermediary layer provides precise request routing based on actual network proximity rather than DNS server proximity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a static proximity table that copies and stores pre-determined proximity relationships between user domains and local servers. This table serves as a reference copy that accurately reflects network topology and server locations, allowing the WARD to make precise routing decisions without relying on dynamic DNS queries that suffer from caching and TTL limitations.
2Reliability
If dynamic proximity measurement schemes are used, then real-time network conditions are reflected, but service execution is delayed due to time-consuming proximity prediction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs proximity measurements and network condition assessments in advance, storing the results in a static proximity table. This preliminary action allows the WARD to quickly retrieve pre-computed routing information during actual request distribution, avoiding time-consuming real-time measurements while still reflecting accurate network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines static pre-computed proximity information with dynamic service availability checking. The static proximity table provides stable routing basenames, while the WARD dynamically checks whether local servers are currently available to handle requests, creating a hybrid approach that balances speed and real-time accuracy.
3Length of moving object
If existing local server selection schemes are used, then server proximity is considered, but service reliability deteriorates when servers are down or exceed service capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the WARD checks the current service availability status of local servers before distributing requests. The system monitors whether servers are down or have exceeded their capacity, and uses this feedback information to make intelligent routing decisions. This feedback loop ensures that requests are only sent to servers that can actually handle them, maintaining high service reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary checks on server availability and capacity before request distribution. By checking service status in advance and maintaining updated information about server capabilities, the WARD prevents requests from being routed to unavailable or overloaded servers, thereby ensuring service reliability while still considering network proximity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a system and a method for distributing multimedia streaming service request based on wide area network which can efficiently support multimedia streaming service in wide area network. The system for distributing multimedia streaming service request based on wide area network includes a user terminal, a wide area server, and a local server. The user terminal requests multimedia streaming service. The wide area server for selecting a local server which is disposed nearest to the user terminal and has node availability and service availability, and providing contents requested by the user terminal to the selected local server. The local server provides the multimedia streaming service to the user terminal using the contents provided from the wide area server.