Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for inferring a unified topological model of a hidden topology comprising dispersing data packets from a source to at least one receiver, and collecting individual end-to-end packet statistics; collecting aggregate end-to-end statistical measurements between a plurality of enclaves situated at an edge of an unknown network; identifying shared path correlations relating to shared links traversed between at least one root enclave and one or more leaf enclaves; constructing topological metrics as a directed tree corresponding to shared path correlations; inferring a unified topological model and routing paths of the unknown network based on the plurality of topological metrics collected by the plurality of enclaves; validating consistency between the subsequent end-to-end statistical measurements and the unified topological model of the hidden topology; and updating the inferred unified topological model of the hidden topology in accordance with observed inconsistencies.

Abstract: A method accelerates the delivery of a portion of a data stream across nodes of a stream transport network. A portion of a live stream is forwarded from a first node to a second node in a transport network at a high bitrate as compared to the stream's encoded bitrate, and thereafter, the stream continues to be forwarded from the first node to the second node at or near the encoded bitrate. This technique provides significant advantages in that it reduces stream startup time, reduces unrecoverable stream packet loss, and reduces stream rebuffers as the stream is viewed by a requesting end user that has been mapped to a media server in a distributed computer network such as a content delivery network.

Abstract: A method accelerates the delivery of a portion of a data stream across nodes of a stream transport network. A portion of a live stream is forwarded from a first node to a second node in a transport network at a high bitrate as compared to the stream's encoded bitrate, and thereafter, the stream continues to be forwarded from the first node to the second node at or near the encoded bitrate. This technique provides significant advantages in that it reduces stream startup time, reduces unrecoverable stream packet loss, and reduces stream rebuffers as the stream is viewed by a requesting end user that has been mapped to a media server in a distributed computer network such as a content delivery network.

Abstract: The subject matter herein relates to a method to “accelerate” the delivery of a portion of a data stream across nodes of a stream transport network. A portion of a live stream is forwarded from a first node to a second node in a transport network at a high bitrate as compared to the stream's encoded bitrate, and thereafter, the stream continues to be forwarded from the first node to the second node at or near the encoded bitrate. The disclosed technique of forwarding a portion of a stream at a high bitrate as compared to the encoded bitrate of the stream is sometimes referred to as “prebursting” the stream. This technique provides significant advantages in that it reduces stream startup time, reduces unrecoverable stream packet loss, and reduces stream rebuffers as the stream is viewed by a requesting end user that has been mapped to a media server in a distributed computer network such as a content delivery network.

Abstract: The subject matter herein relates to a method to “accelerate” the delivery of a portion of a data stream across nodes of a stream transport network. A portion of a live stream is forwarded from a first node to a second node in a transport network at a high bitrate as compared to the stream's encoded bitrate, and thereafter, the stream continues to be forwarded from the first node to the second node at or near the encoded bitrate. The disclosed technique of forwarding a portion of a stream at a high bitrate as compared to the encoded bitrate of the stream is sometimes referred to as “prebursting” the stream. This technique provides significant advantages in that it reduces stream startup time, reduces unrecoverable stream packet loss, and reduces stream rebuffers as the stream is viewed by a requesting end user that has been mapped to a media server in a distributed computer network such as a content delivery network.

Abstract: The subject matter herein relates to a method to “accelerate” the delivery of a portion of a data stream across nodes of a stream transport network. A portion of a live stream is forwarded from a first node to a second node in a transport network at a high bitrate as compared to the stream's encoded bitrate, and thereafter, the stream continues to be forwarded from the first node to the second node at or near the encoded bitrate. The disclosed technique of forwarding a portion of a stream at a high bitrate as compared to the encoded bitrate of the stream is sometimes referred to as “prebursting” the stream. This technique provides significant advantages in that it reduces stream startup time, reduces unrecoverable stream packet loss, and reduces stream rebuffers as the stream is viewed by a requesting end user that has been mapped to a media server in a distributed computer network such as a content delivery network.

Abstract: A streaming measurement agent designed to experience, measure, and report on a media stream as an actual end user would experience the stream. Preferably, agent resides transparently within a streaming media player itself so that it can monitor stream packet flows within the player as the measured streams are being played. In an illustrative embodiment, the agent comprises a performance monitoring module (PMM), which is software that resides in an interface between an existing core module and a renderer of a media player. The agent PMM intercepts each useful packet as it goes from the core to the renderer and, as a result, it is able to compute quality metrics about the playback. The agent functions “transparently” to the media player by presenting the core with an application programming interface (API) that emulates the API that the renderer normally presents to the core.

Abstract: A streaming measurement agent designed to experience, measure, and report on a media stream as an actual end user would experience the stream. Preferably, agent resides transparently within a streaming media player itself so that it can monitor stream packet flows within the player as the measured streams are being played. In an illustrative embodiment, the agent comprises a performance monitoring module (PMM), which is software that resides in an interface between an existing core module and a renderer of a media player. The agent PMM intercepts each useful packet as it goes from the core to the renderer and, as a result, it is able to compute quality metrics about the playback. The agent functions “transparently” to the media player by presenting the core with an application programming interface (API) that emulates the API that the renderer normally presents to the core.

Abstract: The subject matter herein relates to a method to “accelerate” the delivery of a portion of a data stream across nodes of a stream transport network. A portion of a live stream is forwarded from a first node to a second node in a transport network at a high bitrate as compared to the stream's encoded bitrate, and thereafter, the stream continues to be forwarded from the first node to the second node at or near the encoded bitrate. The disclosed technique of forwarding a portion of a stream at a high bitrate as compared to the encoded bitrate of the stream is sometimes referred to as “prebursting” the stream. This technique provides significant advantages in that it reduces stream startup time, reduces unrecoverable stream packet loss, and reduces stream rebuffers as the stream is viewed by a requesting end user that has been mapped to a media server in a distributed computer network such as a content delivery network.

Abstract: A method to “accelerate” the delivery of a portion of a data stream across nodes of a stream transport network. According to the invention, a portion of a live stream is forwarded from a first node to a second node in a transport network at a high bitrate as compared to the stream's encoded bitrate, and thereafter, the stream continues to be forwarded from the first node to the second node at or near the encoded bitrate. The disclosed technique of forwarding a portion of a stream at a high bitrate as compared to the encoded bitrate of the stream is sometimes referred to as “prebursting” the stream. This technique provides significant advantages in that it reduces stream startup time, reduces unrecoverable stream packet loss, and reduces stream rebuffers as the stream is viewed by a requesting end user that has been mapped to a media server in a distributed computer network such as a content delivery network.

Abstract: A streaming measurement agent designed to experience, measure, and report on a media stream as an actual end user would experience the stream. Preferably, agent resides transparently within a streaming media player itself so that it can monitor stream packet flows within the player as the measured streams are being played. In an illustrative embodiment, the agent comprises a performance monitoring module (PMM), which is software that resides in an interface between an existing core module and a renderer of a media player. The agent PMM intercepts each useful packet as it goes from the core to the renderer and, as a result, it is able to compute quality metrics about the playback. The agent functions “transparently” to the media player by presenting the core with an application programming interface (API) that emulates the API that the renderer normally presents to the core.

Abstract: A streaming measurement agent designed to experience, measure, and report on a media stream as an actual end user would experience the stream. Preferably, agent resides transparently within a streaming media player itself so that it can monitor stream packet flows within the player as the measured streams are being played. In an illustrative embodiment, the agent comprises a performance monitoring module (PMM), which is software that resides in an interface between an existing core module and a renderer of a media player. The agent PMM intercepts each useful packet as it goes from the core to the renderer and, as a result, it is able to compute quality metrics about the playback. The agent functions “transparently” to the media player by presenting the core with an application programming interface (API) that emulates the API that the renderer normally presents to the core.