Patent ID: 7613768

Claim:
A method for managing a streaming media service, said method comprising: receiving a request for a streaming media service from a client, said streaming media service comprising a media service component; selecting a service location manager to which to provide said request from a plurality of service location managers, said service location manager configured for selecting a service provider from a plurality of service providers; selecting said service provider to which to assign said media service component from a plurality of service providers of a network; informing said service provider of said assignment to perform said media service component, causing said service provider to prepare to perform said streaming media service on streaming media; using information at said service location manager to determine whether to initiate a handoff of said streaming media service from said service provider to another service provider without altering said streaming media service; and if it is determined to initiate said handoff, initiating said handoff to said another service provider such that said streaming media service to said client is not interrupted.