Network communication system including metaswitch functionality
First Claim
1. A network communication system adapted to deliver a media file to a user, comprising:
- a) a plurality of media servers configured as a redundant array of media servers, each of said plurality of media servers communicating with at least two levels of media file storage;
b) a metaswitch that communicates with said redundant array of media servers and is adapted to receive communications from and transmit communications to a user, said metaswitch including;
a stream redirector adapted to redirect a user to one of said plurality of media servers within said redundant array of media servers to access a media file stored therewithin;
a content collection that includes a listing of media files contained within said at least two levels of media storage for said plurality of media servers;
a server collection that includes a listing of said plurality of media servers and a health indicia for each of said plurality of media servers;
a health monitor that is adapted to periodically collect measurements related to predetermined performance metrics for said plurality of media servers, and to update the health indicia for said plurality of media servers within said server collection based on said periodic collection of predetermined performance metrics; and
a popularity engine that is adapted to track user requests for media files that are stored within said at least two levels of media storage and to command repositioning of said media files based upon said tracking of user requests; and
a file mover that is adapted to respond to commands from said popularity engine and to reposition media files within said at least two levels of media storage;
c) wherein said stream redirector redirects a user to one of said at least two levels of media file storage for one of said plurality of media servers to access a requested media file, based on input from said content collection and said server collection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for supplying data to a user upon request are disclosed. The system and method include a redundant array of servers, e.g., media servers, commerce servers, and web servers, that isolate the public network from the private network. The array of servers includes a plurality of individual media servers, and a user database in data communication with an Internet service exchange server hub. A metaswitch is operatively associated with the Internet service exchange server hub and the redundant array of media servers, and is programmed to determine which of the individual media servers will supply data files to the user upon request based upon preprogrammed determination criteria. In a preferred embodiment, the metaswitch determines which of the media servers will supply the data files to the user based upon the first of the media servers to respond to a polling request from the metaswitch. The method and system of the disclosure may also advantageously include a distributor, a static redirector, a log analyzer and/or a metacache unit for managing file storage and access. The method and system of the present disclosure provide improved data transmission, e.g., delivery of multimedia files to users.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A network communication system adapted to deliver a media file to a user, comprising:
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a) a plurality of media servers configured as a redundant array of media servers, each of said plurality of media servers communicating with at least two levels of media file storage;
b) a metaswitch that communicates with said redundant array of media servers and is adapted to receive communications from and transmit communications to a user, said metaswitch including;
a stream redirector adapted to redirect a user to one of said plurality of media servers within said redundant array of media servers to access a media file stored therewithin;
a content collection that includes a listing of media files contained within said at least two levels of media storage for said plurality of media servers;
a server collection that includes a listing of said plurality of media servers and a health indicia for each of said plurality of media servers;
a health monitor that is adapted to periodically collect measurements related to predetermined performance metrics for said plurality of media servers, and to update the health indicia for said plurality of media servers within said server collection based on said periodic collection of predetermined performance metrics; and
a popularity engine that is adapted to track user requests for media files that are stored within said at least two levels of media storage and to command repositioning of said media files based upon said tracking of user requests; and
a file mover that is adapted to respond to commands from said popularity engine and to reposition media files within said at least two levels of media storage;
c) wherein said stream redirector redirects a user to one of said at least two levels of media file storage for one of said plurality of media servers to access a requested media file, based on input from said content collection and said server collection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification