Patent ID: 6751673
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A subscription mechanism for use in a content delivery network (CDN) having a set of content provider entry points, an intermediate layer of set reflectors, and a set of edge nodes to which requesting end users are selectively directed to obtain live data streams that are published to the CDN, wherein an edge node includes a server for delivering the live data streams to requesting end users, the mechanism comprising:code operative at the edge node (a) for determining whether the edge node server is already receiving a live data stream being requested by an end user at the time of such a request from the end user; and (b) for issuing to at least one set reflector a subscription to the live data stream if the edge node server is not already receiving the live data stream, the subscription originating from the edge node; and code operative at the set reflector for (a) determining whether the set reflector is already receiving the live data stream being requested by the edge node; and (b) for issuing to a given entry point the subscription to the live data stream if the set reflector is not already receiving the live data stream, the subscription originating from the set reflector.