Network configured for delivery of content for download to a recipient
Network systems and processes for delivery of electronic content to recipient processors may be configured to facilitate the delivery of relatively large content items and/or a relatively large number of content items. In one example, a movie rental system and process delivers (downloads) movie files to customers across the Internet. System network architecture includes three or more layers of servers, including a main server supporting an interface for recipient processors to request content items, a plurality of parent servers, and a plurality of edge servers. Edge servers are distributed throughout a region in which the system provides content delivery services to recipient processors. Parent servers, spaced across the service region, support edge servers. A copy of each content item available through the service is distributed from the main server to each parent servers for storage. Parent servers distribute content to edges servers, pursuant to instructions from the main server or requests from the edge servers. The main server receives and processes requests for content items from recipient processors and directs recipient processors to edge servers for obtaining requested content items. The main server also authenticates licenses and publishes rules for the distribution of content items.
1. A system for delivering content items over a network for download to recipient processors within a service region, the system comprising:
a plurality of edge servers connected for communication on the network and distributed within the service region, each edge server having a storage facility for storing content items for delivery to recipient processors, wherein selected content items are stored on each edge server by applying an algorithm to determine content least frequently used, and selected content items are stored on each edge server based on a least frequently used determination so that not all available content items are stored on each edge server;
at least one parent server connected for communication on the network, wherein the at least one parent server stores all available content items and provides content items to the plurality of edge servers, the plurality of edge servers requesting content not stored thereon from the at least one parent server; and
at least one main server connected for communication on the network for providing an interface for receiving and processing requests for content items from recipient processors, wherein each main server is programmed or configured for directing recipient processors to edge servers to obtain requested content items.
2. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the network comprises the Internet and the interface comprises a website supported by the at least one main server.
3. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein each edge server is programmed or configured to receive requests for content items from a recipient processor that is directed to the edge server by the main server and, in response to a request, determine whether the requested content item is stored with the edge server and, if the requested content item is not stored with the edge server, requesting the content item from a parent server.
4. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the content items comprise digitally encoded files, each file having at least 500 Mega Bytes of data.
5. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the content items comprise digitally encoded movie files.
6. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein directing recipient processors comprises providing recipient processors with a network address associated with at least one edge server.
7. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein directing recipient processors comprises providing a recipient processor with a uniform resource locator (URL) for locating at least one edge server, the URL also including a token which identifies a requested content item.
8. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein directing recipient processors comprises providing a recipient processor with a uniform resource locator (URL) for locating at least one edge server, the URL also including a token which identifies the recipient processor.
9. A process for delivering content items over a network for download to recipient processors within a service region, the process comprising:
storing all available content items with at least one parent server connected on the network;
receiving content items from the at least one parent server over the network and storing selected content items with a plurality of edge servers connected on the network and distributed within the service region, wherein the plurality of edge servers request content items not stored thereon from the at least one parent server;
applying an algorithm to determine content items least frequently used, and storing content items on each edge server based on a least frequently used determination so that not all available content items are stored on each edge server;
providing an interface with at least one main server connected on the network, for receiving and processing requests for content items from recipient processors; and
directing recipient processors to edge servers to obtain requested content items in response to receiving and processing requests for content items on the at least one main server.
10. A process as recited in claim 9 , wherein the network comprises the Internet and the interface comprises a website supported by the at least one main server.
11. A process as recited in claim 9 , wherein directing recipient processors to edge servers comprises receiving a request at an edge servers for a content item that is directed to the edge server by the main server and, in response to the request, determining whether the requested content item is stored with the edge server and, if the requested content item is not stored with the edge server, requesting the content item from a parent server.
12. A process as recited in claim 9 , wherein the content items comprise digitally encoded files, each file having at least 500 Mega Bytes of data.
13. A process as recited in claim 9 , wherein the content items comprise digitally encoded movie files.
14. A process as recited in claim 9 , wherein directing recipient processors comprises providing recipient processors with a network address associated with at least one edge server.
15. A process as recited in claim 9 , wherein directing recipient processors comprises providing a recipient processor with a uniform resource locator (URL) for locating at least one edge server, the URL also including a token which identifies a requested content item.
16. A process as recited in claim 9 , wherein directing recipient processors comprises providing a recipient processor with a uniform resource locator (URL) for locating at least one edge server, the URL including a token which identifies the recipient processor.
17. A process as recited in claim 9 , further comprising determining whether recipient processors are in a specified geographic region and denying access to the requested content to recipient processors not within the specified region.
18. A process as recited in claim 9 , wherein directing recipient processors to edge servers comprises determining appropriate edge servers to which recipient processors are directed by a load balancing technique.
19. A process as recited in claim 18 , wherein the load balancing technique comprises a Best Distributor Selection BDI system.
20. A process for delivering content items over a network for download to recipient processors within a service region, the process comprising:
storing content items with at least one parent server connected on the network;
receiving content items from the at least one parent server over the network and storing content items with a plurality of edge servers connected on the network and distributed within the service region;
providing an interface with at least one main server connected on the network, for receiving and processing requests for content items from recipient processors; and
directing recipient processors to edge servers to obtain requested content items in response to receiving and processing requests for content items on the at least one main server; and
controlling access by recipient processors to content items obtained from edge servers, based on payment information received and processed by at least one main server.
21. A process as recited in claim 20 , wherein the network comprises the Internet and the interface comprises a website supported by the at least one main server.