Stream control failover utilizing the sharing of state information within a logical group of stream servers
First Claim
1. A method for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients, the method comprising:
- establishing a logical group of IP-connected stream servers;
generating state information at multiple stream servers within the logical group;
sharing state information amongst stream servers in the logical group; and
using the shared state information to respond to resource failures within the logical group.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A technique for streaming digital video content to multiple clients involves establishing a logical group of IP-connected stream servers, generating state information at multiple stream servers within the logical group, sharing the state information amongst stream servers in the logical group, and using the shared state information to respond to resource failures within the logical group. By sharing state information within the logical group of stream servers, stream servers with the shared state information can quickly take over the active streams from a failed stream server within the logical group. The quick transition of responsibility from one stream server to another enables the streaming network to provide continuous streaming of digital video content to the viewer without interruption.
70 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients, the method comprising:
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establishing a logical group of IP-connected stream servers;
generating state information at multiple stream servers within the logical group;
sharing state information amongst stream servers in the logical group; and
using the shared state information to respond to resource failures within the logical group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients, the system comprising:
multiple stream servers that are logically connected into a logical group, wherein at least one of the stream servers in the logical group comprises;
state information module configured to;
generate state information;
share the state information with other stream servers in the logical group; and
use the shared state information to respond to resource failures within the logical group. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients, the method comprising:
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establishing a logical group of IP-connected stream servers;
establishing one of the stream servers in the logical group as having responsibility for managing session setup;
generating state information at multiple stream servers within the logical group;
sharing state information amongst stream servers in the logical group;
using the shared state information to respond to resource failures within the logical group;
migrating the responsibility for managing session setup to different stream servers within the logical group;
identifying an attribute of a content element that is streamed via at least one of the stream servers in the logical group; and
selecting a protection mechanism for the content element as a function of the attribute, wherein the protection mechanism enables streaming of the content element in the event of a stream server failure. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients, the method comprising:
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establishing a logical group of IP-connected stream servers;
establishing one of the stream servers in the logical group as having responsibility for managing session setup;
generating state information at multiple stream servers within the logical group;
sharing state information amongst stream servers in the logical group;
using the shared state information to respond to resource failures within the logical group;
migrating the responsibility for managing session setup to different stream servers within the logical group;
determining the popularity of a content element that is streamed via at least one of the stream servers in the logical group; and
making resource management decisions in response to the popularity of the content element.
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Specification