Distributing requests across multiple content delivery networks based on subscriber policy
First Claim
1. A method, operable in a framework wherein resources of a content provider may be delivered to clients from at least one content delivery network (CDN) formed of a plurality of cache servers or from a subscriber server network associated with the content provider, wherein the subscriber server network is distinct from the at least one CDN, the method comprising:
- responsive to receipt of a client request at a name server to resolve a domain name,retrieving policies from a policy database of the name server, the domain name being associated with a request for at least one resource of the content provider, andselecting either the at least one CDN or the subscriber server network, the selecting being based at least in part on one or more of the retrieved policies set by the content provider and at least one other retrieved policy, wherein the one or more retrieved policies set by the content provider relate, at least in part, to delivery of resources on behalf of the content provider; and
by hardware in combination with software, providing the client with information associated with the selected network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, operable in a framework wherein resources of a content provider may be delivered to clients from at least two distinct content delivery networks (CDNs). Responsive to a client request, one of the CDNs is selected, the selection being based at least in part on one or more policies set by the content provider. The client is provided with information associated with the selected CDN. The information may be a domain name such as a CNAME for the selected CDN. The policies may include a load share policy that specifies a relative load share for each CDN, and the selecting may attempt to satisfy the load share policy. Updated content provider policies may be obtained, at regular intervals.
388 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method, operable in a framework wherein resources of a content provider may be delivered to clients from at least one content delivery network (CDN) formed of a plurality of cache servers or from a subscriber server network associated with the content provider, wherein the subscriber server network is distinct from the at least one CDN, the method comprising:
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responsive to receipt of a client request at a name server to resolve a domain name, retrieving policies from a policy database of the name server, the domain name being associated with a request for at least one resource of the content provider, and selecting either the at least one CDN or the subscriber server network, the selecting being based at least in part on one or more of the retrieved policies set by the content provider and at least one other retrieved policy, wherein the one or more retrieved policies set by the content provider relate, at least in part, to delivery of resources on behalf of the content provider; and by hardware in combination with software, providing the client with information associated with the selected network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method, operable in a framework wherein resources of a content provider may be delivered to users from at least two distinct domains, wherein a first domain comprises a subscriber server network associated with the content provider and a second domain comprises a content delivery network (CDN) distinct from the subscriber server network, the method comprising:
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receiving a request from a client resolver to resolve a first domain name, the request being associated with a client request for one of the resources of the content provider; in response to receipt of the request, retrieving from a policy database of a name server one or more content provider policies relating to delivery of the one of the resources, at least one of the retrieved policies relating to a relative load share for each of the at least two domains, and selecting, based at least in part on the one or more retrieved content provider policies set by the content provider and at least one other retrieved policy, one of the at least two domains; and by hardware in combination with software, providing the client with information associated with the selected domain. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method, operable in a framework wherein resources of a content provider may be delivered from at least two distinct domains, wherein a first domain comprises a subscriber server network associated with the content provider and a second domain comprises a content delivery network (CDN) distinct from the subscriber server network, the method comprising:
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distributing requests to at least one name server to resolve a domain name among the at least two distinct domains based at least in part on one or more load share policies set by the content provider and at least one other policy, the one or more load share policies relating to delivery of content on behalf of the content provider, the one or more load share policies and the at least one other policy being retrieved from a policy database of the at least one name server in response to receipt of at least one of the requests to the at least one name server; and by hardware in combination with software, providing an interface for the content provider to update the one or more load share policies set by the content provider. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method, operable in a framework consisting of at least one content delivery network (CDN) comprising a plurality of content servers and capable of delivering resources on behalf of at least one subscriber, wherein the subscriber is associated with a subscriber server network distinct from the at least one CDN, the method comprising:
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in response to receipt of a request at a name server to resolve a domain name associated with a particular client request for subscriber content of a particular subscriber of the at least one subscriber, retrieving from a policy database of a name server one or more policies, the one or more of the retrieved policies including one or more subscriber polices, and selecting either the at least one CDN or the subscriber server network to handle the particular client request for subscriber content, the selecting being based, at least in part, on one or more retrieved subscriber policies of the particular subscriber, the one or more retrieved subscriber policies relating, at least in part, to delivery of resources on behalf of the particular subscriber and at least one other retrieved policy; and by hardware in combination with software, causing the client to be directed to the selected network. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification