Serving out video over a network of video servers

• US 20040010588A1
• Filed: 06/06/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Slater, Alastair Michael, Sparkes, Andrew Michael, Watkins, Mark Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,441,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1012 based on compliance of requirements or conditions with available server resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1029 using data related to the state of servers by a load balancer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1031 Controlling of the operation of servers by a load balancer, e.g. adding or removing servers that serve requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2181 comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23103 using load balancing strategies, e.g. by placing or distributing content on different disks, different memories or different servers storage management G06F3/0604; allocation of resources considering the load in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/505; techniques for rebalancing the load in a distributed system G06F9/5083; access to distributed or replicated servers, e.g. load balancing, in data networks H04L67/1001
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2405 Monitoring of the internal components or processes of the server, e.g. server load allocation of resources in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/50; performance measurement of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21

Abstract

A method of serving out video over a network of video servers includes evaluating a capacity of the network as a whole to serve out specific video items by establishing, for each video server in the network, an established ability of each server to serve out the specific items that are potentially servable from each video server. The method further includes using the established abilities of each video server to evaluate an overall capability of the network as whole to serve out each of the specific video items. The method also includes varying the overall capability to serve out at least a selected one of the specific video items in accordance with the overall capability of the network.

Claims

1. A method of serving out video over a network of video servers, the method comprising:

evaluating a capacity of the network to serve out specific video items by establishing an ability for each video server in the network to serve out the specific video items that are servable from each video server;

evaluating an overall capability of the network to serve out each of the specific video items in accordance with the established abilities of each video server; and

varying the overall capability to serve out at least a selected one of the specific video items in accordance with the overall capability of the network.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring at least one parameter for a each video server, the at least one parameter being associated with the ability of each video server to serve out the video items servable therefrom, and taking remedial action to vary the overall capacity to serve out at least a selected one of the specific video items in accordance with the monitored parameters.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising selecting the selected one of the specific video items to be a video item for which demand for the specific video item is predicted to outstrip the capacity of the network to supply the predicted demand, and wherein the remedial action comprises increasing the capacity of the network to serve out the specific video item.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising selecting the selected one of the specific video items to be a video item for which there is less demand than for other video items, and wherein the remedial action comprises decreasing the capacity of the network to serve out the specific video item.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising evaluating the capacity of the network to serve out the specific video items with a master video-serving capacity manager.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the master video-serving capacity manager server, also comprising a video server, establishing its own ability to serve out the specific video items as well as establishing the abilities of each of the other video servers to serve out the specific video items.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the remedial action is in accordance with an evaluation of available unused telecommunications capability between the video server and the network.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the remedial action is in accordance with an evaluation of capability of a selected video server to retrieve a specific video item from a memory of the selected video server, or associated with the selected video server.

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the remedial action is in accordance with an evaluation of a capacity of a microprocessor of a selected video server to serve out to a telecommunications port of the selected video server.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising identifying a problem with a particular video server that reduces a capability of the particular video server to serve out at least a specific video item, and providing additional ability to serve out the specific video item from at least one other video server on the network, thereby improving capacity of the network to serve out the specific video item.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein providing additional ability to serve out the specific video item from at least one other video server on the network comprises at least one of:

(1) copying the specific video item from a network-accessible source of the specific item onto the at least one other server; and

(2) enabling a video server that has the specific video item stored therein to make the specific video item available for serving.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising copying the specific video from one networked video server to another networked video server.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein providing additional ability to serve out the specific video item from at least one other video server on the network comprises making the specific video item available upon at least an additional port address of either the particular video server or the at least one other video server.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein providing additional ability to serve out the specific video item from at least one other video server on the network comprises adding a joining server, not previously a member of the network, to the network and ensuring that the joining video server either (1) has the specific video item available for serving, or (2) has at least another specific video item, and reducing capacity of a different networked video server to serve out the another specific video item and increasing capacity of the different video server to serve out the specific video item.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising increasing a number of port addresses of the video servers made available to a particular specific video item of a video server, or increasing a telecommunications capacity of a port address used to serve out the particular specific video item.

16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring network traffic to and/or from each video server and comparing traffic levels with threshold levels, and varying the overall capability to serve out at least a selected one of the specific video items upon monitored traffic levels reaching the threshold traffic levels.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the threshold levels include a minimum activity threshold level and further comprising performing a diagnostic check to ensure that the video servers are operational and in communication with a monitor server.

18. A video server monitor for use with a network of video servers each of which having video items, the video server monitor comprising:

an input adapted to receive inputs;

an output adapted to output outputs, and

a processor adapted to process said inputs and to generate said outputs;

wherein said inputs are representative of capabilities of each of said video servers to serve out video items servable from respective video servers; and

wherein said processor is adapted to evaluate an overall capacity of the network from said inputs representative of each individual video server'"'"'s capacity to serve out each said video item; and

wherein said processor is adapted to use its evaluation of said overall capacity of the network to control output of said outputs, said outputs being adapted to vary said overall capacity of the network to serve out a selected one of said video items.

19. The monitor according to claim 18, wherein said inputs comprise inputs representative of at least one parameter associated with said ability of said video servers to serve out said video items servable from said video servers, and wherein said processor monitors said parameters for at least one of each video server or each video item servable from said video servers to determine monitored parameters, and wherein said processor is adapted to compare said monitored parameters with trigger points for each monitored parameter and to generate outputs in response to said monitored parameters meeting said trigger points.

20. The monitor according to claim 18, wherein said processor is adapted to determine if demand for a specific video item is above a maximum threshold level and to make said specific video available for serving on the network in response thereto.

21. The monitor according to claim 18, wherein said processor is adapted to determine if demand for a specific video item is below a minimum threshold level and to produce outputs which decrease capacity of the network to serve out said specific video item in response thereto.

22. The monitor according to claim 18, further comprising a video server having video items available for serving.

23. The monitor according to claim 18, wherein said inputs comprise inputs representative of telecommunication usage of said video servers and wherein said processor is adapted to evaluate telecommunications capacity for each video server.

25. The monitor according to claim 18, wherein said inputs comprise inputs representative of video server processor capacity and wherein said processor is adapted to evaluate a capability of each video server'"'"'s processor to serve additional video items to an output telecommunication port of said video servers.

26. The monitor according to claim 18, wherein said outputs are adapted to cause at least one of:

(1) copying of a specific video item from a network accessible source of said specific video item to another video server;

(2) retrieving video-serving application software on a video server that has said software stored therein;

(3) transferring video-serving application software to a video-server that has said specific video stored therein;

(4) outputting a specific video item to at least one additional port address of a networked video server, said at least one additional port address being other than those port addresses at which said specific video item was previously available; and

(5) adding a joining video server to the network, said joining video server not previously being a member of the network.

27. The monitor according to claim 18, wherein said inputs are representative of network traffic to and from each video server, and wherein said processor is adapted to compare monitored traffic levels with threshold traffic levels, and to generate outputs when said threshold levels are met, said outputs causing pre-programmed action to be taken.

24. The monitor according to claim 118, wherein said inputs comprise inputs representative of memory accessibility for each video server and wherein said processor is adapted to evaluate a capability of each video server to access additional video items that it is capable of serving out.

28. A network of video servers having video items available for serving, and a video server monitor, the monitor comprising:

an input adapted to receive inputs;

an output adapted to output outputs; and

a processor adapted to process said inputs and to generate said outputs;

wherein said inputs are representative of capabilities of each of said video servers to serve out video items servable from respective video servers; and

wherein said processor is adapted to evaluate an overall capacity of the network from said inputs representative of each individual video server'"'"'s capacity for each video item; and

wherein said processor is adapted to use its evaluation of said overall capacity of the network to control said outputs, said outputs being adapted to vary said overall capacity of the network to serve out a selected one of said video items.

29. The network according to claim 28, wherein said inputs comprise inputs representative of at least one parameter associated with said ability of said video servers to serve out said video items servable from said video servers;

and wherein said processor is adapted to monitor said parameters for at least one of each video server or each video item servable from said video servers to determine monitored parameters, and wherein said processor is adapted to compare said monitored parameters with trigger points for each monitored parameter and to generate said outputs in response to said monitored parameters meeting said trigger points.

30. The network according to claim 28, wherein said processor is adapted to determine if demand for a specific video item is above a maximum threshold level and to make said specific video more available for serving on the network in response thereto.

31. The network according to claim 28, wherein said processor is adapted to determine if demand for a specific video item is below a minimum threshold level and to produce outputs which decrease capacity of the network to serve out said specific video item in response thereto.

32. The network according to claim 28, wherein said monitor further comprises a video server having video items available for serving.

33. The network according to claim 32, wherein said video server operates as said monitor.

34. In network of video servers, each video server includes information as to its own capability to serve out videos that it has available, and further includes information as to a capability of each other networked video server to serve out videos that they have available;

one of said video servers comprises a master video serving capacity controller and is adapted to assess a future capability of the network to serve out an additional copy of each video that is servable in the network, and to compare said assessed future capability for each video with threshold capabilities for each video and to automatically take pre-programmed action in response to said assessed capability reaching said threshold capabilities.

35. The network according to claim 34, wherein said pre-programmed action includes at least one of (1) increasing capability of the network to serve out a video that has an assessed capability below a minimum threshold by copying said video to an additional video server, or by running suitable video serving software on an additional port address of a video server or (2) reducing capability of the network to serve out a video that has an assessed capability above a maximum threshold.

36. A video server comprises:

a processor;

a memory; and

a telecommunication unit;

said memory is adapted to have video items for serving out of said video server; and

wherein said processor is adapted to cause a video item to be located in said memory and served out of said telecommunication unit to a network; and

wherein said video server has an input for inputting inputs to said processor indicative of an ability of other video servers networked to said video server to serve out video items available on said other video servers, said processor adapted to monitor and ability of said video server to serve out those of said video items available on said video server and being adapted to monitor, from said inputs, abilities of said other networked video servers to serve out video,items available on said other video servers; and

wherein said video server in his adapted to monitor an ability of said network to serve out particular said video items; and

wherein said processor has an output adapted to output outputs for causing the network to have an increased or reduced capacity to serve out at least a specific selected video item.

37. A program storage device, readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for running on a processor of a video server, said video server having a memory containing video items, an input port, a control output port, and a video streaming port, said method steps comprising a monitor routine adapted to process signals received by said input port from other video servers networked to said video server so as to establish a network-wide usage level of a plurality of videos items, or to establish a capacity of said network as a whole to serve out an additional copy of each of said video items potentially servable by said network;

and said method steps having a video item availability-controlling routine which, pursuant to having established said usage level for each video item, causes actions to be taken to increase or decrease an ability of said network as a whole to serve out at least one specific video item.

38. The program storage device according to claim 37, the method steps further comprising increasing availability of a specific video item which is experiencing high demand.

39. The program storage device according to claim 37, the method steps further comprising dynamically modifying a specific video item serving capability of said network to serve out each specific video item.

40. The program storage device according to claim 39, the method steps further comprising dynamically modifying the specific video item serving capability dependent upon at least one of actual or predicted demand.

41. The program storage device according to claim 37, the method steps further comprising causing at least one of either (1) an additional copy of an existing specific video item to be made on a video server of the network or (2) bringing up on a server an application software adapted to serve out an existing specific video stream, the method steps thereby increasing capacity of the network to serve out the specific video item.

42. The program storage device according to claim 41, the method steps further comprising causing the specific video item to be copied from one video server to another video server.

43. The program storage device according to claim 41, the method steps further comprising causing the specific video item to be copied within a video server to occupy more memory of the video server, thereby increasing capacity for the video server to serve out the specific video item.

44. The program storage device according to claimed 37, the method steps further comprising causing at least one of an increase in number of video streaming port addresses of a the video server, or an increase in number of video streaming port addresses on the network as a whole, that are capable of serving out a specific video item.

45. A method of modifying availability of video items on a network of video servers comprises:

providing a network of video servers, each video server including information as to its own capability to serve out videos that it has available and information as to a capability of each other networked video server to serve out videos that they have available; and

wherein one of said video servers comprises a master video serving capacity controller adapted to assess a future capability of the network to serve out an additional copy of each video that is servable in the network, and to compare said assessed future capability for each video with threshold capabilities for each video, and to automatically take pre-programmed action in response to said assessed capability reaching said threshold capabilities.

46. The method according to claim 45, wherein said pre-programmed action includes at least one of (1) increasing capability of the network to serve out a video that has an assessed capability below a minimum threshold by copying said video to an additional video server, or by running suitable video serving software on an additional video serving port address of a video server or (2) reducing capability of the network to serve out a video that has an assessed capability above a maximum threshold.

47. The method according to claim 45, further comprising setting said maximum and minimum threshold.

48. A method of modifying availability of video items on a network of video servers comprises:

providing a network of video servers, wherein each video server includes information as to its own capability to serve out videos that it has available;

assessing an aggregate capability of the network by aggregating individual video server capabilities; and

modifying availabilities of videos on specific video servers to modify capability of the network to serve out specific particular video items.

49. In a video serving system having a monitor unit and at least one video content server, said monitor unit comprising:

a processor and a storage device having a monitor application stored therein, said server including an input-output device, and said processor being arranged to run said monitor application and being further arranged to monitor said input/output device when running said monitor application and to execute an action in response to a trigger condition associated with said input/output device being met.

50. The system according to claim 49, wherein said monitor unit is arranged to monitor said video server for faults.

51. The system according to claim 49, wherein said monitor unit is arranged to monitor at least one of said input/output device and a server network connection.

52. The system according to claim 49, wherein said monitor unit is arranged to spawn a video server application either on a further port address of said video server or on a further video server upon a trigger condition being reached.

53. The system according to claim 49, wherein said monitor unit is arranged to replicate video content of said server that is serviced by a failing port address on a further video server.

54. The system according to claim 49, wherein said trigger condition comprises a mismatch between actual or predicted demand for a specific video content and a target capability of said network to serve out said specific video content, and wherein said action in response to said trigger condition being met comprises dynamically automatically adjusting said capability by increasing capacity of the network to serve out said specific video having a demand that exceeds a threshold level.