Systems for distributing data over a computer network and methods for arranging nodes for distribution of data over a computer network
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Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a system for distributing data (e.g., content data) over a computer network and a method of arranging receiver nodes in a computer network such that the capacity of a server is effectively increased (e.g., the capacity of a server may be effectively multiplied many times over; the capacity of the server may be effectively increased exponentially). In one embodiment the present invention may take advantage of the excess capacity many receiver nodes possess, and may use such receiver nodes as repeaters. The distribution system may include node(s) having database(s) which indicate ancestor(s) and/or descendant(s) of the node so that reconfiguration of the distribution network may be accomplished without burdening the system'"'"'s primary server. An embodiment of the present invention may include a process for configuring a computer information distribution network having a primary server node and user nodes docked in a cascaded relationship, and reconfiguring the network in the event that a user node departs from the network. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the process may include the steps of providing a new user node (or connection requesting user node) with a connection address list of nodes within the network, having the new user node (or connection requesting user node) go to (or attempt to go to) the node at the top of the connection address list, determine whether that node is still part of the distribution network, and connect thereto if it is, and if it is not, to go to (or attempt to go to) the next node on the connection address list. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), when a user node departs from the distribution network, a propagation signal may be transmitted to the nodes below it in the network, causing them to move up in the network in a predetermined order. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the present invention may provide a decentralized approach which provides, to each new user node (or connection requesting user node) a path back to the root server.
5 Citations
30 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A method of operation for a network node capable of operating in a binary tree topology network, the network node having one uptree channel, and a first and second downtree channels, each channel capable of docking with a node, the method comprising the steps of:
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sending a standard connection request to a parent node, and receiving an acknowledgement of that request, thereby permitting the network node and the parent node to be docked on the uptree channel; receiving a standard connection request from a first child node, and acknowledging that request, thereby permitting the first node to be docked with the network node on a first downtree channel; receiving a standard connection request from a second child node, and acknowledging that request, thereby permitting the second node to be docked with the network node on a second downtree channel; maintaining a network model comprising an address for a grandparent node, and for any node docked with the network node; receiving a standard connection request from a third node, and rejecting that request, and determining an address of a descendent, and sending to the third node the address of a descendent. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method of operation for a network node capable of operating in a binary tree topology network, the network node having one uptree channel, and a first and second downtree channels, each channel capable of docking with a node, the method comprising the steps of:
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sending a standard connection request to a parent node, and receiving an acknowledgement of that request, thereby permitting the network node and the parent node to be docked on the uptree channel; receiving a standard connection request from a first child node, and acknowledging that request, thereby permitting the first node to be docked with the network node on a first downtree channel; receiving a standard connection request from a second child node, and acknowledging that request, thereby permitting the second node to be docked with the network node on a second downtree channel; maintaining a network model comprising an address for a grandparent node, and for any node docked with the network node; receiving a priority join request from a third node, and in response to the priority join request; if nodes are docked on both of the first and second downtree channels of the network node, sending a depart propagate message to a node selected from the set of;
a first child node or a second child node,thereby causing the selected node and the network node to be no longer docked; and sending an acknowledgement of the priority join request to the third node, thereby permitting the network node and the third node to be docked on one of the first and second downtree channels. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of operation for a network node capable of operating in a binary tree topology network, the network node having one uptree channel, and a first and second downtree channels, each channel capable of docking with a node, the method comprising the steps of:
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sending a standard connection request to a parent node, and receiving an acknowledgement of that request, thereby permitting the network node and the parent node to be docked on the uptree channel; maintaining a network model comprising an address for a grandparent node; receiving a depart message from the parent node; and sending a standard connection request to the grandparent node, and receiving an acknowledgement of that request, thereby permitting the network node and the grandparent node to be docked on the uptree channel.
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28. A method of operation for a network node capable of operating in a binary tree topology network, the network node having one uptree channel, and a first and second downtree channels, each channel capable of docking with a node, the method comprising the steps of:
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sending a standard connection request to a parent node, and receiving an acknowledgement of that request, thereby permitting the network node and the parent node to be docked on the uptree channel; maintaining a network model comprising an address for each node that is reported to the network node to be an ancestor of the network node; receiving a depart message from the parent node; determining a closest uptree ancestor based upon the network model; sending a standard connection request to the closest uptree ancestor; awaiting the receipt of an acknowledgment of that request for at least a pre-specified period; and revising the network model, if no acknowledgement is received, to remove the closest uptree ancestor, and repeating the steps of determining, sending, awaiting and revising until an acknowledgement is received.
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29. A method of operation for a network node capable of operating in a binary tree topology network, the network node having one uptree channel, and a first and second downtree channels, each channel capable of docking with a node, the method comprising the steps of:
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sending a standard connection request to a parent node, and receiving an acknowledgement of that request, thereby permitting the network node and the parent node to be docked on the uptree channel; maintaining a network model comprising an address for a grandparent node; maintaining a utility identifier provided by the parent node reflecting the relative utility between the network node and a sibling node; determining that the parent node is no longer docked on the upstream channel; sending a standard connection request to a grandparent node, and receiving an acknowledgement of that request, thereby permitting the network node and the grandparent node to be docked on the uptree channel; and if the utility identifier reflects lower relative utility of the network node, pausing prior to the step of sending a standard connection request to the grandparent node.
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30. A method of operation for a network node capable of operating in a binary tree topology network, the network node having one uptree channel, and a first and second downtree channels, each channel capable of docking with a node, the method comprising the steps of:
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sending a standard connection request to a parent node, and receiving an acknowledgement of that request, thereby permitting the network node and the parent node to be docked on the uptree channel; receiving a depart propagate message from the parent node, the depart propagate message specifying an address of a reconnection node; sending a priority join request to the reconnection node, and receiving an acknowledgement of that request, thereby permitting the network node and the reconnection node to be docked on the uptree channel
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Specification