System and method for using uniform resource locators to map application layer content names to network layer anycast addresses

• US 7,343,422 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2001
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Online Video Network, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ADARA Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Bradley R., Garcia-Luna-Aceves, J J
• Primary Examiner(s): Flynn; Nathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIDDIQI, MOHAMMAD A
• Application Number:
  US09/844,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20020010737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,511 Days
• Field of Search: 709217-219, 709238-246, 370/390
• US Class Current: 709/238
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1483 using an access-table, e.g. matrix or list
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9574 of access to content, e.g. by caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4553 Object oriented directories, e.g. common object request broker architecture [CORBA] name server
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10015 Access to distributed or replicated servers, e.g. using brokers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1008 based on parameters of servers, e.g. available memory or workload monitoring of computer activity G06F11/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/101 based on network conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A request for an information object at an address identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) is received; and the URL is mapped to a corresponding unicast address for the information object. Thereafter, the unicast address for the information object may be used as an anycast address.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a request for content having associated therewith an information object identified by a uniform resource locator (URL) including a redirector address;

mapping, using a lookup table, the URL of the information object to a corresponding unicast address associated with an originating source for the information object;

using the unicast address as an anycast address so as to obtain the information object from a nearest information object repository identified by a redirector identified by the redirector address, wherein the nearest information object repository is selected according to specified performance metrics that comprise average delay from the nearest information object repository to a source of the request, average processing delay at the nearest information object repository, reliability of a path from the nearest information object repository, available bandwith in said path, and loads on the nearest information object repository;

directing the request to the nearest information object repository;

determining if the information object repository has the information object;

instructing the nearest information object repository to obtain a copy of the information object, if the nearest information object repository does not store the information object;

monitoring an established connection between a destination of the request and the nearest information object repository servicing the request; and

adjusting the established connection if the network conditions of the established connection degrade by replacing the nearest information object repository with a different information object repository.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the established connection occurs constantly.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the established connection occurs periodically.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the established connection occurs constantly.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the established connection occurs periodically.