Method and apparatus for distributing video on demand loading

• US 8,166,510 B1
• Filed: 07/17/2001
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VIXS Systems Incorporated (Pixelworks Incorporated), VIXS Incorporated
• Original Assignee: VIXS Systems Incorporated (Pixelworks Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ducharme, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Shepard, Justin
• Application Number:
  US09/907,114
• Time in Patent Office: 3,934 Days
• Field of Search: 725/94
• US Class Current: 725/96
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23103 using load balancing strategies, e.g. by placing or distributing content on different disks, different memories or different servers storage management G06F3/0604; allocation of resources considering the load in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/505; techniques for rebalancing the load in a distributed system G06F9/5083; access to distributed or replicated servers, e.g. load balancing, in data networks H04L67/1001

Abstract

A method and apparatus for distributing video-on-demand loading include processing that begins by receiving a concurrent additional request for accessing a video program (i.e., while the server associated with the video program is processing one request for access to the video program another is received). The processing continues by providing the video program to a 2^nd server in response to the concurrent additional request. The 2^nd server causes the video program to be stored in the redundant array of independent disks (2^nd RAID) associated with the 2^nd server. The 2^nd server processes the concurrent additional request via the 2^nd RAID such that processing of multiple requests for the same video program is distributed throughout the video on demand system.

Claims

1. A method for distributing video on demand loading, the method comprises:

servicing, by a first server of a plurality of servers operable to contemporaneously service a plurality of requests for a corresponding plurality of different video programs, a first request of the plurality of requests for accessing a video program via a first redundant array of independent disks (RAID) associated with the first server;

receiving, by the first server of the plurality of servers, an additional request for accessing the video program that the first server is currently accessing;

determining that, while the first server is capable of servicing the additional request, the additional request is for accessing the video program that the first server is currently accessing and a second server of the plurality of servers is not accessing the video program;

providing the video program and the additional request to the second server of the plurality of servers, based on the determination that the additional request is for accessing the video program that the first server is currently accessing and the second server of the plurality of servers is not accessing the video program;

storing the video program received from the first RAID at a second RAID associated with the second server; and

servicing, by the second server, the additional request via the second RAID, wherein the second server acts independently of the first server to service the additional request.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

receiving a second additional request for accessing the video program while the first server is servicing the first request;

providing the video program and the second additional request to a third server;

storing the video program at a third RAID associated with the third server; and

servicing, by the third server, the second additional request via the third RAID, wherein the third server acts independently of the first server and the second server to service the second additional request.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the providing the video program to the third server further comprises at least one of:

providing the video program from the first server to the third server; and

providing the video program from the second server to the third server.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

receiving a plurality of additional requests for accessing the video program, wherein the additional request is one of the plurality of additional requests;

determining whether a number of the plurality of additional requests exceeds a number of a plurality of servers, wherein the plurality of servers includes the first and second servers;

when the number of the plurality of additional requests does not exceed the number of the plurality of servers, providing the video program to the plurality of servers;

storing the video program at a each of a plurality of RAIDs, wherein each of the plurality of RAIDs is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of servers; and

servicing, by the plurality of servers, the plurality of additional requests via the plurality of RAIDs.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprises:

when the number of the plurality of additional requests exceeds the number of the plurality of servers, providing the video program to the plurality of servers;

storing the video program at each of a plurality of RAIDs, wherein each of the plurality of RAIDs is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of servers; and

servicing, by the plurality of servers, the plurality of additional requests via the plurality of RAIDs, wherein at least one of the plurality of servers is services multiple ones of the plurality of additional requests.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the servicing the plurality of additional requests by the plurality of servers further comprises:

assigning servicing responsibilities to the plurality of servers based on R(j)=S(i)modulo(i), wherein R(j) represents a specific one of the plurality of additional requests, j represents the number of the specific one of the plurality of additional requests, S(i) represents a specific one of the plurality of servers, and i represents the number of the specific one of the plurality of servers.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

deleting the video program from the second RAID when the second server has fulfilled the additional request.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprises:

deleting the video program from the second RAID after a predetermined period of time has expired after fulfilling the additional request and during which a second additional request for accessing video program is not received.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

providing the video program to the plurality of servers in response to receiving the additional request and based on anticipated immediate future access requests for the video program.

10. A method for distributing video on demand loading, the method comprises:

servicing, by a first server of a plurality of servers operable to contemporaneously service a plurality of requests, a first request of the plurality of requests for accessing a first video program via a first redundant array of independent disks (RAID) associated with the first server and a second request for accessing a second video program via the first RAID;

receiving, by the first server of the plurality of servers, an additional request for accessing the first video program while the first server is servicing the first request for accessing the first video program and is servicing the second request for accessing the second video;

determining loading of the first server;

determining that, while the first server is capable of servicing the addition request, the additional request is for accessing the video program that the first server is currently servicing and a second server of the plurality of servers is not servicing the video program providing the first video program and the additional request to a second server included in the plurality of other servers;

storing the first video program received from the first RAID at a second RAID associated with the second server; and

servicing, by the second server, the additional request via the second RAID, wherein the second server acts independently of the first server to service the additional request.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprises:

when the loading of the first server does not exceed the distributed loading threshold, servicing, by the first server, the additional request via the first RAID.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprises:

determining the distributed loading threshold based on number of video programs serviced by the first server in comparison to a number of video programs serviced by each server of the plurality of servers such that each of the plurality of servers services approximately a same number of video programs, and wherein the plurality of servers includes the first server.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprises:

receiving, by the first server of the plurality of servers, a second additional request for accessing the first video program;

when the loading of the first server exceeds the distributed loading threshold, providing the first video program to a third server of the plurality of servers;

storing the first video program received from the first RAID at second RAID associated with the third server; and

servicing, by the third server, the second additional request at the second RAID.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprises:

receiving a plurality of additional requests for accessing the first video program, wherein the additional request is one of the plurality of additional requests;

determining whether a number of the plurality of additional requests exceeds a number of a plurality of servers, wherein the plurality of servers includes the first and second servers;

when the number of the plurality of additional requests does not exceed the number of the plurality of servers, providing the first video program to the plurality of servers;

recording the video program by a each of a plurality of RAIDs, wherein each of the plurality of RAIDs is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of servers; and

servicing, by the plurality of servers, the plurality of additional requests via the plurality of RAIDs.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprises:

when the number of the plurality of additional requests exceeds the number of the plurality of servers, providing the first video program to the plurality of servers;

storing the first video program at each of a plurality of RAIDs, wherein each of the plurality of RAIDs is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of servers; and

when the loading of the first server does not exceed the distributed loading threshold, servicing, by the plurality of servers, the plurality of additional requests via the plurality of RAIDs, wherein the first server services multiple ones of the plurality of additional requests.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprises:

providing the first video program to the plurality of servers in response to receiving the additional request and based on anticipated immediate future access requests for the first video program.

17. An apparatus for distributing video on demand loading, the apparatus comprises:

processing module; and

memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory includes operational instructions that cause the processing module to;

service, by a first server of a plurality of servers operable to contemporaneously service a plurality of requests for a corresponding plurality of different video programs, a first request of the plurality of requests for accessing a first video program via a first redundant array of independent disks (RAID) associated with the first server, and a second request for accessing a second video program via the first RAID;

receive, as the first server, an additional request for accessing the first video program, wherein the first server is servicing the first request for accessing the first video program and is servicing the second request for accessing the second video program via the first RAID;

determining that, while the first server is capable of servicing the additional request, the additional request is for accessing the first video program, and that a second server of the plurality of servers is not accessing the first video program;

provide the first video program and the additional request to the second server of the plurality of servers;

enable storage of the first video program provided by the first RAID at a second RAID associated with the second server; and

service, as the second server, the additional request via the second RAID, wherein the second server acts independently of the first server to service the additional request.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

receive a second additional request for accessing the first video program;

provide the first video program to a third server of the plurality of servers;

enable storage of the first video program at a third RAID associated with the third server; and

enable the third server to service the second additional request via the third RAID.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to provide the first video program to the third server by at least one of:

provide the first video program from the first server to the third server; and

provide the first video program from the second server to the third server.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

receive a plurality of additional requests for accessing the first video program, wherein the additional requests is one of the plurality of additional requests;

determine whether a number of the plurality of additional requests exceeds a number of a plurality of servers, wherein the plurality of servers includes the first and second servers;

when the number of the plurality of additional requests does not exceed the number of the plurality of servers, provide the first video program to the plurality of servers;

enable recording of the video program by a each of a plurality of RAIDs, wherein each of the plurality of RAIDs is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of servers; and

enable the plurality of servers to service the plurality of additional requests via the plurality of RAIDs.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

when the number of the plurality of additional requests exceeds the number of the plurality of servers, provide the first video program to the plurality of servers;

enable storage of the first video program at each of a plurality of RAIDs, wherein each of the plurality of RAIDs is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of servers; and

enable the plurality of servers to service the plurality of additional requests via the plurality of RAIDs, wherein at least one of the plurality of servers is services multiple ones of the plurality of additional requests.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to service the plurality of additional requests by the plurality of servers by:

assigning servicing responsibilities to the plurality of servers based on R(j)=S(i)modulo(i), wherein R(j) represents a specific one of the plurality of additional requests, j represents the number of the specific one of the plurality of additional requests, S(i) represents a specific one of the plurality of servers, and i represents the number of the specific one of the plurality of servers.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

delete the first video program from the second RAID when the second server has fulfilled the additional requests.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

delete the first video program from the second RAID after a predetermined period of time has expired after fulfilling the additional request and during which a second additional request for accessing the first video program has is not received.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

provide the first video program to the plurality of receivers in response to receiving the additional request and based on anticipated immediate future access requests for the first video program.

26. An apparatus for distributing video on demand loading, the apparatus comprises:

processing module; and

memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory includes operational instructions that cause the processing module to;

service, by a first server of a plurality of servers operable to contemporaneously service a plurality of requests, a first request of the plurality of requests for accessing a first video program via a first redundant array of independent disks (RAID) associated with the first server and a second request of the plurality of requests for accessing a second video program via the first RAID;

receive, as the first server of the plurality of servers, an additional request for accessing the first video program while the first server is servicing the first request for accessing the first video program and is servicing the second request for accessing the second video program;

determine loading of the first server;

determining that, while the first server is capable of servicing the addition request, the additional request is for accessing the video program that the first server is currently servicing and a second server of the plurality of servers is not servicing the video program, provide the first video program and the additional request to a second server included in the plurality of other servers;

enable storage of the first video program received from the first RAID at a second RAID associated with the second server; and

enable the second server to service the additional request via the second RAID, wherein the second server acts independently of the first server to service the additional request.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

when the loading of the first server does not exceed the distributed loading threshold, enable the first server to service the additional request via the first RAID.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

determine the distributed loading threshold based on number of video programs serviced by the first server in comparison to a number of video programs serviced by each server of the plurality of servers such that each of the plurality of servers services approximately a same number of video programs, and wherein the plurality of servers includes the first server.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

receive a second additional request for accessing the first video program;

when the loading of the first server exceeds the distributed loading threshold, provide the first video program to a third server of the plurality of servers;

enable storage of the video program received from the first RAID at a third RAID associated with the third server; and

enable the third server to service the second additional request via the second RAID.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

receive a plurality of additional requests for accessing the first video program, wherein the additional requests is one of the plurality of additional requests;

determine whether a number of the plurality of additional requests exceeds a number of a plurality of servers, wherein the plurality of servers includes the first and second servers;

when the number of the plurality of additional requests does not exceed the number of the plurality of servers, provide the first video program to storage at each of a plurality of RAIDs, wherein each of the plurality of RAIDs is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of servers; and

enable the plurality of servers to service the plurality of additional requests via the plurality of RAIDs.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

when the number of the plurality of additional requests exceeds the number of the plurality of servers, provide the first video program to the plurality of servers;

enable storage of the first video program at each of a plurality of RAIDs, wherein each of the plurality of RAIDs is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of servers; and

when the loading of the first server does not exceed the distributed loading threshold, enable the plurality of servers to service the plurality of additional requests via the plurality of RAIDs, wherein the first server services multiple ones of the plurality of additional requests.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

provide the first video program to the plurality of servers in response to receiving the additional request and based on anticipated immediate future access requests for the first video program.