Patent ID: 8856846

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving data identifying new media content items to be added to a media distribution system that provides media content on demand to a plurality of endpoints, wherein the media distribution system includes a plurality of distribution nodes, wherein a particular distribution node of the plurality of distribution nodes includes first storage to store first media content items that are assigned to the particular distribution node and second storage to store a second media content item requested from a different distribution node of the plurality of distribution nodes to which the second media content item is assigned, wherein the first storage is distinct from the second storage, and wherein each of the plurality of distribution nodes is coupled to a corresponding subset of endpoints of the plurality of endpoints; determining historical demands during a particular time period for existing media content items, wherein each of the existing media content items includes content available to the plurality of endpoints via the plurality of distribution nodes prior to the data identifying the new media content items being received; forecasting demands for a subset of third media content items of the media distribution system based on the historical demands to generate forecasted demands, the third media content items including the new media content items and the existing media content items; generating a mixed integer program model based on storage constraints of the plurality of distribution nodes, bandwidth constraints of the media distribution system, and the forecasted demands; performing a Lagrangian relaxation operation using the mixed integer program model; determining values of a cost function based on a result of the Lagrangian relaxation operation, wherein the cost function is associated with an amount of bandwidth for the media distribution system to provide the third media content items to each of the plurality of endpoints; assigning each of the third media content items to a corresponding distribution node of the plurality of distribution nodes based on the cost function and the forecasted demands, wherein the cost function is associated with an amount of bandwidth for the media distribution system to provide the third media content items to each of the plurality of endpoints; and storing a first particular media content item of the third media content items at the first storage of the particular distribution node.