Prefix caching for media objects

1. A method for delivering media objects across a communication network comprising multiple edge server computers controllably connected to at least one client computer and at least one origin server computer, the method comprising:

storing said media object on said origin server computer;

storing a prefix on at least one edge server computer, said prefix comprising a beginning portion of said media object, and a size of the prefix is determined, at least in part, by anticipated demand for said media object;

transmitting said prefix from said edge server computer to said at least one client computer; and

transmitting to said at least one client computer said media object subsequent to said prefix such that transmission of said prefix and said media object is delivered to said at least one client computer without interruption.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said media object is transmitted from said origin server computer to said edge server computer in parallel.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said prefix is distributed to said edge server computer based on anticipated demand.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said prefix is distributed to said edge server computer based on measured usage.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said prefix is distributed to said edge server computer based on a connection between said origin server computer and said edge server computer.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said media object is referenced by a URL.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said user requests delivery of said media object by selecting said URL.

8. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

reserving an amount of bandwidth on a connection between the origin server and the edge server, the amount of bandwidth sufficient to allow transfer of said media object to said edge server such that the media object is viewed by the client computer without interruption.

9. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

reserving an amount of disk bandwidth on a device storing the media object, the amount of disk bandwidth sufficient to allow transfer of said media object to said edge server such that the media object is received by the client computer without interruption.

10. A computer program product for delivering media objects across a communication network comprising multiple edge server computers controllably connected to client computers and at least one origin server computer, said computer program product, when executed on a computer, performing:

storing said media object on said origin server computer;

transmitting a prefix of said media object to said at least one edge server computer, said prefix containing a beginning portion of said media object, and a size of the prefix is determined, at least in part, by anticipated demand for said media object;

receiving a delivery request from said edge server computer for transmission of the remaining portion of said media object associated with said prefix; and

transmitting said remaining portion to said edge server computer in response to said delivery request, said remaining portion delivered subsequent to said prefix without interruption or delay.

11. A computer program product for delivering media objects across a communication network comprising multiple edge server computers controllably connected to client computers and at least one origin server computer, the computer program product, when executed on a computer, performing:

storing a prefix, said prefix comprising a beginning portion of said media object, and a size of the prefix is determined, at least in part, by anticipated demand for said media object;

receiving a request from said client computer for delivery of said media object;

transmitting said prefix to said client computer in response to said delivery request;

receiving remaining portion of said media object associated with said prefix; and

transmit said media object to said client computer such that delivery of the prefix is followed by delivery of the media object without interruption or delay.

12. A computer system for delivering media objects to a client computer, said computer system comprising:

at least one origin server computer, said origin server computer storing at least one media object;

at least one edge server computer, said edge server computer storing a prefix of said media object, said prefix containing a beginning portion of said media object, said edge server computer in communication with said origin server computer, said client computer issuing to said edge server computer a request for delivery of said media object, and a size of the prefix is determined, at least in part, by anticipated demand for said media object; said origin computer transmitting said media object associated with said first portion to said edge server computer, said edge server computer subsequently transmitting said media object associated with said first portion to said client computer such that delivery of the first portion and said subsequently transmitted media object is continuous and uninterrupted.

13. The computer system of claim 12 , wherein said origin server computer contains said media object in multiple file formats.

14. The computer system of claim 12 , further including a media streaming module.

15. The computer system of claim 12 , further including a media management module.

16. The computer system of claim 12 , further including a media distribution module.

17. The computer system of claim 14 , wherein said media streaming module, media management module, and media distribution module are included in said origin server computer.

18. The computer system of claim 17 , wherein said media streaming module, media management module, and media distribution module are included in said edge server computer.