Content distribution system for distributing content over a network, with particular applicability to distributing high-bandwidth content

• US 7,650,376 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2000
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quantum Technology Innovations, LLC (Leigh M. Rothschild)
• Original Assignee: Trevor I. Blumenau
• Inventors: Blumenau, Trevor I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Philip B
• Application Number:
  US09/717,184
• Time in Patent Office: 3,347 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709218-219, 709/203, 709/226, 707/10
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• 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 67/1021 based on client or server locations
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1023 based on a hash applied to IP addresses or costs

Abstract

The invention facilitates the distribution of content over a network (e.g., the Internet, a television network) and, in particular, the distribution of high-bandwidth (i.e., data intensive) content, such as video content or customized content. At least one of the sites of the network (a “core server”) is controlled (at least in part) by an entity that desires to distribute content to one or more other network sites (“client(s)”) at which the content is to be used. In accordance with the invention, a core server uses one or more other network sites (“node server(s)”) to distribute content on behalf of the core server to one or more clients. In particular, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the entit(ies) having control (at least in part) of each of one or more network sites (node server(s)) can be recruited to use their site(s) to distribute content on behalf of a core server to one or more clients.

Claims

1. Apparatus for effecting the provision of content over a network, comprising a core server, the core server comprising:

means for receiving a request from a client for specified content;

means for communicating to the client the identity of a node server having the specified content stored thereon, thereby enabling the client to request transmission of the specified content from the node server; and

means for ascertaining that the node server transmitted the specified content to the client, wherein an owner of the node server is offered an incentive as compensation for transmission of the specified content to the client.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the bandwidth and/or latency performance of the node server in transmitting the specified content to the client.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the bandwidth and/or latency performance of the node server relative to the bandwidth and/or latency characteristics of one or more other node servers that can provide the specified content to the client.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the number and/or topological proximity of one or more other node servers that can provide the specified content to the client.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the time of day at which the node server transmits the specified content to the client.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for ascertaining that the node server transmitted the specified content to the client further comprises means for obtaining information regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the means for obtaining information regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content further comprises means for obtaining information regarding when the content was delivered.

8. Apparatus in claim 6, wherein the means for obtaining information regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content further comprises means for obtaining information regarding the bandwidth and/or latency performance associated with the transmission of the content.

9. Apparatus as in claim 1, the core server further comprising:

means for identifying a plurality of node servers within the network that have at least part of the specified content stored thereon;

means for selecting from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers; and

means for communicating the identity of the candidate node servers to the client to enable the client to request transmission of the specified content via the network from one or more of the candidate node servers.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, the core server further comprising:

means for determining the location of the client within the network;

means for identifying the locations of the plurality of node servers that have at least part of the requested content stored thereon; and

wherein the means for selecting one or more candidate node servers further comprises means for selecting from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers that are determined to be topologically proximate to the client.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the determination of topological proximity to the client is performed using a breadth-first search to identify node servers that satisfy a criterion regarding topological proximity to the client.

12. Apparatus as in claim 1, the core server further comprising:

means for identifying a network site that will act as a node server for distribution of the specified content; and

means for providing the specified content to the node server.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the means for identifying a network site that will act as a node server for distribution of the specified content further comprises:

means for identifying the location of a prospective node server that desires to act as a node server for distribution of the specified content;

means for identifying the location of one or more other existing node servers that can act as a node server for distribution of the specified content; and

means for determining the topological proximity of the prospective node server to the existing node servers, wherein the prospective node server is selected as a node server for distribution of the specified content if the prospective node server satisfies a criterion regarding topological proximity to the existing node servers.

14. Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the means for determining the topological proximity of the prospective node server to the existing node servers is performed using an annealing method.

15. Apparatus as in claim 1, the core server further comprising;

means for storing data identifying available content that can be obtained by a client; and

means for providing an identification of available content to the client.

16. Apparatus as in claim 1, the core server further comprising means for storing data identifying the location of the node server.

17. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the content comprises visual content including moving images.

18. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the network is a computer network.

19. Apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the network is the Internet.

20. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the network is a television network.

21. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the network is a wireless communications network.

22. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising the node server, the node server comprising:

means for storing the specified content;

means for receiving a request to transmit the specified content to the client; and

means for transmitting the specified content to the client.

23. Apparatus as in claim 22, wherein:

the core server further comprises;

means for identifying a network site that will act as a node server for distribution of the specified content; and

means for providing the specified content to the node server; and

the node server further comprises means for receiving the specified content from the core server.

24. Apparatus as in claim 22, wherein the core server and the node server are each implemented at least in part in a computer.

25. Apparatus as in claim 22, wherein the node server is implemented at least in part in a television set-top box.

26. Apparatus as in claim 22, wherein the node server is implemented at least in part in a portable device.

27. Apparatus as in claim 22, the system further comprising the client, the client comprising:

means for transmitting the request for the specified content to the core server;

means for receiving the identity of the node server from the core server; and

means for receiving the specified content from the node server.

28. Apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the node server and the client are each implemented at least in part in a television set-top box.

29. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising the client, the client comprising:

means for transmitting the request for the specified content to the core server;

means for receiving the identity of the node server from the core server; and

means for receiving the specified content from the node server.

30. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein the client further comprises means for transmitting a request to the node server to transmit the specified content to the client.

31. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein the client further comprises:

means for monitoring the characteristics of the transmission of the specified content from the node server to obtain auditing information regarding the transmission of the specified content from the node server to the client; and

means for transmitting the auditing information to the core server.

32. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein the core server and the client are each implemented at least in part in a computer.

33. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein the client is implemented at least in part in a television set-top box.

34. Apparatus as in claim 29, wherein the client is implemented at least in part in a portable device.

112. Apparatus as in claim 11, wherein:

the core server further comprises computational apparatus adapted to identify a network site that will act as a node server for distribution of the specified content, and wherein the transmitter of the core server is further adapted to provide the specified content to the node server; and

the receiver of the node server is further adapted to receive the specified content from the core server.

35. Apparatus for effecting the provision of content over a network, comprising a core server, the core server comprising:

means for receiving a request for content from a client;

means for determining the location of the client within the network;

means for identifying the location of a plurality of node servers within the network that have at least part of the requested content stored thereon;

means for selecting from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers that are determined to be topologically proximate to the client;

means for communicating the identity of the candidate node servers to the client to enable the client to request transmission of the requested content via the network from one or more of the candidate node servers; and

means for ascertaining which of the one or more of the candidate node servers transmitted requested content to the client, wherein an owner of such node server is offered an incentive as compensation for transmission of requested content to the client.

36. Apparatus for effecting the provision of content over a network, comprising a core server, the core server comprising:

means for identifying which of a plurality of sets of content or parts of the plurality of sets of content are stored by each of a plurality of node servers that are part of the network, wherein at least one of the plurality of sets of content or parts of the plurality of sets of content is stored on redundant node servers;

means for receiving a request from a client that is part of the network for transmission of a set of content to the client, wherein at least part of the requested set of content is stored on redundant node servers;

means for selecting from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers that have stored thereon at least part of the requested set of content;

means for communicating the identity of the candidate node servers to the client to enable the client to request transmission of the requested content via the network from one or more of the candidate node servers; and

means for ascertaining which of the one or more of the candidate node servers transmitted requested content to the client, wherein an owner of such node server is offered an incentive as compensation for transmission of requested content to the client.

37. A computer readable storage medium or media encoded with one or more computer programs including instructions for effecting the provision of content over a network, comprising:

instructions for receiving a request from a client for specified content;

instructions for communicating to the client the identity of a node server having the specified content stored thereon, thereby enabling the client to request transmission of the specified content from the node server; and

instructions for ascertaining that the node server transmitted the specified content to the client, wherein an owner of the node server is offered an incentive as compensation for transmission of the specified content to the client.

38. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 37, wherein the instructions for ascertaining that the node server transmitted the specified content to the client further comprise instructions for obtaining information regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content.

39. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 38, wherein the instructions for obtaining information regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content further comprise instructions for obtaining information regarding when the content was delivered.

40. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 38, wherein the instructions for obtaining information regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content further comprise instructions for obtaining information regarding the bandwidth and/or latency performance associated with the transmission of the content.

41. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 37, further comprising:

instructions for identifying a plurality of node servers within the network that have at least part of the requested content stored thereon;

instructions for selecting from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers; and

instructions for communicating the identity of the candidate node servers to the client to enable the client to request transmission of the specified content via the network from one or more of the candidate node servers.

42. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 41, further comprising:

instructions for determining the location of the client within the network;

instructions for identifying the locations of the plurality of node servers that can act as a node server for distribution of the specified content;

instructions for identifying the locations of the plurality of node servers that have at least part of the requested content stored thereon;

wherein the instructions for selecting one or more candidate node servers further comprise instructions for selecting from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers that are determined to be topologically proximate to the client.

43. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 42, wherein the determination of topological proximity to the client is performed using a broadth-first search to identify node servers that satisfy a criterion regarding topological proximity to the client.

44. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 37, further comprising:

instructions for identifying a network site that will act as a node server for distribution of the specified content; and

instructions for providing the specified content to the node server.

45. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 44, wherein the instructions for identifying a network site that will act as a node server for distribution of the specified content further comprise:

instructions for identifying the location of a prospective node server that desires to act as a node server for distribution of the specified content;

instructions for identifying the location of one or more other existing node servers that can act as a node server for distribution of the specified content; and

instructions for determining the topological proximity of the prospective node server to the existing node servers, wherein the prospective node server is selected as a node server for distribution of the specified content if the prospective node server satisfies a criterion regarding topological proximity to the existing node servers.

46. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 45, wherein the instructions for determining the topological proximity of the prospective node server to the existing node servers comprise instructions for performing an annealing method.

47. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 37, further comprising:

instructions for storing data identifying available sets of content that can be obtained by a client; and

instructions for providing an identification of available sets of content to the client.

48. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 37, further comprising instructions for storing data identifying the location of the node server.

49. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 37, further comprising:

instructions for storing content at a node server;

instructions for receiving a request at a node server to transmit content to a client; and

instructions for transmitting content from a node server to a client in response to a request for that content.

50. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 49, further comprising:

instructions for identifying a network site that will act as a node server for distribution of the specified content;

instructions for providing the specified content to the node server; and

instructions for receiving at the node server the specified content provided by the core server.

51. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 49, further comprising:

instructions for transmitting from the client a request for specified content to the core server;

instructions for receiving at the client the identity of a node server from the core server; and

instructions for receiving at the client the specified content from a node server.

52. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 37, further comprising:

instructions for transmitting from the client a request for specified content to the core server;

instructions for receiving at the client the identity of a node server from the core server; and

instructions for receiving at the client the specified content from a node server.

53. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 52, further comprising instructions for transmitting a request from the client to the node server to transmit specified content to the client.

54. A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 52, further comprising:

instructions for monitoring the characteristics of the transmission of the specified content from the node server to obtain auditing information regarding the transmission of the specified content from the node server to the client; and

instructions for transmitting the auditing information to the core server.

55. A computer readable storage medium or media encoded with one or more computer programs including instructions for effecting the provision of content over network, comprising:

instructions for receiving a request for content from a client;

instructions for determining the location of the client within the network;

instructions for identifying the location of a plurality of node servers within the network that have at least part of the requested content stored thereon;

instructions for selecting from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers that are determined to be topologically proximate to the client;

instructions for communicating the identity of the candidate node server to the client to enable the client to request transmission of the requested content via the network from one or more of the candidate node servers; and

instructions for ascertaining which of the one or more of the candidate node servers transmitted requested content to the client, wherein an owner of such node server is offered an incentive as compensation for transmission of requested content to the client.

56. A computer readable storage medium or media encoded with one or more computer programs including instructions for effecting the provision of content over a network, comprising:

instructions for identifying which of a plurality of sets of content or parts of the plurality of sets of content are stored by each of a plurality of node servers that are part of the network, wherein at least one of the plurality of sets of content or parts of the plurality of sets of content is stored on redundant node servers;

instructions for receiving a request from a client that is part of the network for transmission of a set of content to the client, wherein at least part of the requested set of content is stored on redundant node servers;

instructions for selecting from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers that have stored thereon at least part of the requested set of content;

instructions for communicating the identity of the candidate node servers to the client to enable the client to request transmission of the requested content via the network from one or more of the candidate node servers; and

instructions for ascertaining which of the one or more of the candidate node servers transmitted requested content to the client, wherein an owner of such node server is offered an incentive as compensation on for transmission of requested content to the client.

57. A method for effecting the provision of content over a network, comprising the steps of:

identifying at a core server a network site that will act as a node server for distribution of specified content;

providing from the core server the specified content to the node server;

receiving at the core server a request from a client for the specified content;

communicating from the core server the identity of the node server to the client to enable the client to request transmission of the specified content from the node server; and

ascertaining at the core server that the node server transmitted the specified content to the client, wherein an owner of the node server is offered an incentive as compensation for transmission of the specified content to the client.

58. A method as in claim 57, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the bandwidth and/or latency performance of the node server in transmitting the specified content to the client.

59. A method as in claim 58, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the bandwidth and/or latency performance of the node server relative to the bandwidth and/or latency characteristics of one or more other node servers that can provide the specified content to the client.

60. A method as in claim 57, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the number and/or topological proximity of one or more other node servers that can provide the specified content to the client.

61. A method as in claim 57, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the time of day at which the node server transmits the specified content to the client.

62. A method as in claim 57, wherein the step of ascertaining at the core server that the node server transmitted the specified content to the client comprises the step of obtaining at the core server information regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content.

63. A method as in claim 62, wherein the step of obtaining information at the core server regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content comprises the step of obtaining information at the core server regarding when the content was delivered.

64. A method as in claim 62, wherein the step of obtaining information at the core server regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content comprises the step of obtaining information at the core server regarding the bandwidth and/or latency performance associated with the transmission of the content.

65. A method as in claim 57, further comprising the steps of:

identifying at the core server a plurality of node servers within the network that can act as a node server for distribution of the specified content;

selecting by the core server from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers; and

communicating from the core server the identity of the candidate node servers to the client to enable the client to request transmission of the specified content via the network from one of the candidate node servers.

66. A method as in claim 65, further comprising the steps of:

determining by the core server the location of the client within the network;

identifying at the core server the locations of the plurality of node servers that can act as a node server for distribution of the specified content; and

wherein the step of selecting by the core server one or more candidate node servers comprises the step of selecting by the core server from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers that are determined to be topologically proximate to the client.

67. A method as in claim 66, wherein the determination of topological proximity to the client is performed using a breadth-first search to identify node servers that satisfy a criterion regarding topological proximity to the client.

68. A method as in claim 57, wherein the step of identifying a network site that will act as a node server for distribution of the specified content further comprises the steps of:

identifying at the core server the location of a prospective node server that desires to act as a node server for distribution of the specified content;

identifying at the core server the location of one or more other existing node servers that can act as a node server for distribution of the specified content;

determining by the core server the topological proximity of the prospective node server to the existing node servers, wherein the prospective node server is selected as a node server for distribution of the specified content if the prospective node server satisfies a criterion regarding topological proximity to the existing node servers.

69. A method as in claim 68, wherein the step of determining the topological proximity of the prospective node server to the existing node servers is performed using an annealing method.

70. A method as in claim 57, further comprising the steps of:

storing at the core server data identifying available content that can be obtained by a client; and

providing from the core server an identification of available content to the client.

71. A method as in claim 57, further comprising the step of storing at the core server data identifying the location of the node server.

72. A method as in claim 57, wherein the content comprises visual content including moving images.

73. A method as in claim 57, wherein the network is a computer network.

74. A method as in claim 73, wherein the network is the Internet.

75. A method as in claim 57, wherein the network is a television network.

76. A method as in claim 57, wherein the network is a wireless communications network.

77. A method as in claim 57, further comprising the steps of:

storing at the node server the specified content;

receiving at the node server a request to transmit the specified content to the client; and

transmitting from the node server the specified content to the client.

78. A method as in claim 77, further comprising the step of receiving at the node server the specified content from the core server.

79. A method as in claim 78, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting from a client the request for the specified content to the core server;

receiving at the client the identity of the node server from the core server; and

receiving at the client the specified content from the node server.

80. A method as in claim 79, wherein the steps performed by the node server and the steps performed by the client are each implemented, at least in part, in a television set-top box.

81. A method as in claim 77, wherein the steps performed by the core server and the steps performed by the node server are each implemented, at least in part, in a computer.

82. A method as in claim 77, wherein the steps performed by the node server are implemented, at least in part, in a television set-top box

83. A method as in claim 77, wherein the steps performed by the node server are implemented, at least in part, in a portable device.

84. A method as in claim 57, further comprising the following steps of:

transmitting from the client the request for the specified content to the core server;

receiving at the client the identity of the node server from the core server; and

receiving at the client the specified content from the node server.

85. A method as in claim 84, the further comprising the step of transmitting from the client a request to the node server to transmit the specified content to the client.

86. A method as in claim 84, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring by the client the characteristics of the transmission of the specified content from the node server to obtain auditing information regarding the transmission of

the specified content from the node server to the client; and

transmitting from the client the auditing information to the core server.

87. A method as in claim 84, wherein the steps performed by the core server and the steps performed by the client are each implemented, at least in part, in a computer.

88. A method as in claim 84, wherein the steps performed by the client are implemented, at least in part, in a television set-top box.

89. A method as in claim 84, wherein the steps performed by the client are implemented, at least in part, in a portable device.

90. Apparatus for effecting the provision of content over a network, comprising a core server, the core server comprising:

a receiver, wherein;

the receiver is adapted to receive a request from a client for specified content; and

the receiver is adapted to receive an identification of a node server that transmitted the specified content to the client, wherein an owner of the node server so identified is offered an incentive as compensation for transmission of the specified content to the client; and

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is adapted to communicate to the client the identity of a node server having the specified content stored thereon, thereby enabling the client to request transmission of the specified content from the node server so identified.

91. Apparatus as in claim 90, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the bandwidth and/or latency performance of the node server in transmitting the specified content to the client.

92. Apparatus as in claim 91, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the bandwidth and/or latency performance of the node server relative to the bandwidth and/or latency characteristics of one or more other node servers that can provide the specified content to the client.

93. Apparatus as in claim 90, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the number and/or topological proximity of one or more other node servers that can provide the specified content to the client.

94. Apparatus as in claim 90, wherein the incentive varies in accordance with the time of day at which the node server transmits the specified content to the client.

95. Apparatus as in claim 90, the core server further comprising computational apparatus, wherein the receiver, transmitter and/or computational apparatus are further adapted to obtain information regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content.

96. Apparatus as in claim 95, wherein the information regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content comprises information regarding when the content was delivered.

97. Apparatus as in claim 95, wherein the information regarding the characteristics of the transmission of the content comprises information regarding the bandwidth and/or latency performance associated with the transmission of the content.

98. Apparatus as in claim 90, wherein:

the receiver is further adapted to receive an identification of a plurality of node servers within the network that can act as a node server for distribution of the specified content;

the core server further comprises computational apparatus adapted to select from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers; and

the transmitter is further adapted to communicate the identity of the candidate node servers to the client to enable the client to request transmission of the specified content via the network from one of the candidate node servers.

99. Apparatus as in claim 98, wherein:

the receiver is further adapted to receive an identification of the locations of the plurality of node servers that can act as a node server for distribution of the specified content;

the receiver, transmitter and/or computational apparatus are further adapted to determine the location of the client within the network; and

the computational apparatus is further adapted to select from the plurality of node servers one or more candidate node servers that are determined to be topologically proximate to the client.

100. Apparatus as in claim 99, wherein the determination of topological proximity to the client is performed using a breadth-first search to identify node servers that satisfy a criterion regarding topological proximity to the client.

101. Apparatus as in claim 90, the core server further comprising computational apparatus, wherein the receiver, transmitter and/or computational apparatus are adapted to identify a network site that will act as a node server for distribution of the specified content, and wherein the transmitter is further adapted to provide the specified content to the node server.

102. Apparatus as in claim 101, wherein the computational apparatus is further adapted to i) identify the location of a prospective node server that desires to act as a node server for distribution of the specified content;

ii) identify the location of one or more other existing node servers that can act as a node server for distribution of the specified content;

iii) determine the topological proximity of the prospective node server to the existing node servers, wherein the prospective node server is selected as a node server for distribution of the specified content if the prospective node server satisfies a criterion regarding topological proximity to the existing node servers.

103. Apparatus as in claim 102, wherein the determination of the topological proximity of the prospective node server to the existing node servers is performed using an annealing method.

104. Apparatus as in claim 90, the core server further comprising data storage apparatus for storing data identifying available content that can be obtained by a client, and wherein the transmitter is further adapted to provide an identification of available content to the client.

105. Apparatus as in claim 90, the core server further comprising data storage apparatus for ^U^^ring data identifying the location of the node server.

106. Apparatus as in claim 90, wherein the content comprises visual content including moving images.

107. Apparatus as in claim 90, wherein the network is a computer network.

108. Apparatus as in claim 107, wherein the network is the Internet.

109. Apparatus as in claim 90, wherein the network is a television network.

110. Apparatus as in claim 90, wherein the network is a wireless communications network.

111. Apparatus as in claim 90, further comprising the node server, the node server comprising:

data storage apparatus for storing the specified content;

a receiver adapted to receive a request to transmit the specified content to the client; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit the specified content to the client.

113. Apparatus as in claim 111, wherein the core server and the node server are each implemented, at least in part, in a computer.

114. Apparatus as in claim 111, wherein the node server is implemented, at least in part, in a television set-top box.

115. Apparatus as in claim 111, wherein the node server is implemented, at least in part, in a portable device.

116. Apparatus as in claim 111, further comprising the client, the client comprising:

a transmitter adapted to transmit the request for the specified content to the core server;

a receiver adapted to receive the identity of the node server from the core server and to receive the specified content from the node server.

117. Apparatus as in claim 116, wherein the node server and the client are each implemented, at least in part, in a television set-top box.

118. Apparatus as in claim 90, further comprising the client, the client comprising:

a transmitter adapted to transmit the request for the specified content to the core server;

a receiver adapted to receive the identity of the node server from the core server and to receive the specified content from the node server.

119. Apparatus as in claim 118, wherein the transmitter or the client is further adapted to transmit a request to the node server to transmit the specified content to the client.

120. Apparatus as in claim 118, wherein the client further comprises computational apparatus, wherein the receiver, transmitter and/or computational apparatus of the client are adapted to monitor the characteristics of the transmission of the specified content from the node server to obtain auditing information regarding the transmission of the specified content from the node server to the client, and wherein the transmitter of the client is further adapted to transmit the auditing information to the core server.

121. Apparatus as in claim 118, wherein the core server and the client are each implemented, at least in part, in a computer.

122. Apparatus as in claim 118, wherein the client is implemented, at least in part, in a television set-top box.

123. Apparatus as in claim 122, wherein the client is implemented, at least in part, in a portable device.