Hybrid content delivery network (CDN) and peer-to-peer (P2P) network

• US 20080155061A1
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Akamai Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Akamai Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Leighton, F. Thomson, Parikh, Jay G., Afergan, Michael M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,332,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1063 Discovery through centralising entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1091 Interfacing with client-server systems or between P2P systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066

Abstract

A content delivery network (CDN) typically includes a mapping system for directing requests to CDN servers. One or more peer machines become associated with the CDN, and the CDN mapping system is then used to enable a given peer to locate another peer in the P2P network, and/or a CDN server. Using this hybrid approach, CDN customer content may be delivered from the CDN edge network, from the P2P network, or from both networks. In one embodiment, customer content is uploaded to the CDN and stored in the edge network, or in a storage network associated therewith. The CDN edge network is then used to prime the P2P network, which may be used to take over some of the content delivery requirements for the customer content. The decision of whether to use edge network or peer network resources for delivery may be based on load and traffic conditions.

Claims

1. In a content delivery network (CDN) having a mapping system for directing requests to CDN servers, a delivery method comprising:

enabling one or more peer machines to become associated with the CDN, wherein the peer machines comprise a peer-to-peer (P2P) network; and

using the CDN mapping system to enable a given peer to locate one of;

another peer in the P2P network, and a CDN server.

2. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the step of using the CDN mapping system includes:

receiving a request from the given peer at the CDN mapping system;

determining a location of a nearest peer in the P2P network; and

returning information to the given peer to enable the given peer to locate the nearest peer.

3. The method as described in claim 1 further including off-loading a component of the mapping system to a peer machine to enable the peer machine to use the mapping system.

4. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the enabling step includes providing a metafile that includes an ordered set of domains.

5. The method as described in claim 4 wherein the ordered set of domains includes one or more domains that are resolved by the CDN mapping system.

6. The method as described in claim 5 wherein the one or more domains comprise an ordered set, wherein an order of the set determines whether the given peer identifies another peer in the P2P network, or a CDN server.

7. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the CDN server is used by the P2P network as a failover.

8. In a content delivery network (CDN) having an edge network, a delivery method comprising:

receiving customer content uploaded to the CDN;

storing the customer content in the edge network or in a storage network associated with the edge network;

enabling one or more peer machines to become associated with the CDN, wherein the peer machines comprise a peer-to-peer (P2P) network; and

using the edge network and the P2P network to delivery the customer content.

9. The method as described in claim 8 wherein the edge network is used to deliver the customer content initially, after which the P2P network assumes primary delivery responsibility for the customer content.

10. The method as described in claim 8 wherein a given peer machine in the P2P network comprises a download manager that includes a P2P client component.

11. In a content delivery network (CDN) having an edge network, a delivery method comprising:

at a CDN server, receiving a request for content;

determining whether the request for content is associated with a signature that indicates that the content is available for delivery using the edge network or a peer network associated with the CDN, wherein the peer network comprises one or more peer machines;

if the request for content is associated with a signature, determining whether the request should be handled by the edge network or the peer network; and

processing the request based on the determination.

12. The method as described in claim 11 wherein the signature is associated with a request header.