Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism for encoding video streams associated with the same digital content such that switch points staggered across two video streams occur at every offset temporal distance. The offset temporal distance is less than the distance between two consecutive key frames in a given video stream. This enables a content player to switch to a video stream having a playback quality up or down one level from a current video stream at the offset temporal distance from the most recently played key frame. In effect, the content player does not wait the entire key frame temporal distance before switching.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method includes accessing cluster hardware information that identifies at least two different types of storage media within a cluster and provides an indication of a respective amount of data throughput for each identified type of storage media. The method next includes accessing popularity information for digital content that is to be stored in the cluster. The popularity information indicates how often the digital content is predicted to be accessed over a specified future period of time. The method also includes allocating the digital content on the different types of storage media within the cluster according to the popularity information. Accordingly, digital content predicted to have higher popularity is placed on storage media types with higher throughput amounts, and digital content predicted to have lower popularity is placed on storage media types with lower throughput amounts. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a templated Domain Name System (DNS) nameserver respond to DNS to DNS requests, and a templated HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server respond to HTTP and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) requests. The templated DNS nameserver responds to a DNS request with a predefined response specifying an Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the templated HTTP server, based on a type of the DNS request. The templated HTTP server responds to an HTTP or HTTPS request with a redirection response specifying a default redirection Universal Resource Locator (URL), or a different URL if the default has been overridden. Domain management is simplified relative to conventional approaches using the templated DNS nameserver and the templated HTTP server. A new domain can simply be registered at a domain name registrar, and the templated DNS nameserver configured as an authoritative DNS nameserver at the domain name registrar.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include accessing media segments that correspond to respective media items. At least one of the media segments may be divided into discrete video shots. The method may also include matching the discrete video shots in the media segments to corresponding video shots in the corresponding media items according to various matching factors. The method may further include generating a relative similarity score between the matched video shots in the media segments and the corresponding video shots in the media items, and training a machine learning model to automatically identify video shots in the media items according to the generated relative similarity score between matched video shots. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a kernel uses a NIC to transmit encrypted data over TCP connections. The kernel causes the NIC to encrypt first data to generate a first transmission control protocol (TCP) packet in accordance with a hardware-based transport layer security (TLS) offload mode. The kernel computes a first re-transmission statistic in response to the first TCP packet failing to reach a first device over a first TCP connection; the kernel assigns the first TCP connection to a software-based TLS offload mode instead of the hardware-based TLS offload mode based on the first re-transmission statistic. Subsequently, the kernel encrypts second data to generate a second TCP packet in accordance with the software-based TLS offload mode, the kernel then causes the NIC to transmit the second TCP packet to the first device over the first TCP connection.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method includes identifying a target networking device communicatively connected to a cluster of networked server instances. The networked server instances are configured to consume network telemetry messages. The method further includes applying a shared lock to the target networking device, so that only a single networked server instance has access to network telemetry messages produced by the target networking device. The method also includes replicating the network telemetry messages produced by the locked target networking device to other server instances in the cluster, and then diverting requests for network telemetry messages from the locked target networking device to another server instance in the cluster of networked server instances. This allows the other server instance in the cluster to service the diverted telemetry data requests for the locked target networking device using the replicated network telemetry messages.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method includes accessing a hard drive to measure operational characteristics of the hard drive. The method next includes deriving hard drive health factors used to control the hard drive that are based on the measured operational characteristics. The derived hard drive health factors include an average per-seek time indicating an average amount of time the hard drive spends seeking specified data that is to be read and an average read speed indicating an average amount of time the hard drive spends reading the specified data. The method next includes determining, based on the hard drive health factors and the operational characteristics, an amount of load servicing capacity currently available at the hard drive, and then includes regulating the amount of load servicing performed by the hard drive according to the determined amount of available load servicing capacity. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application set forth a computer-implemented method comprising receiving, from a client, a request for a workstation instance having a first configuration, in response to the request, generating a first workstation pool associated with the first configuration, wherein the first workstation pool includes at least two unassigned workstation instances having the first configuration, and assigning at least a first workstation instance included in the at least two unassigned workstation instances to the client.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving a structured query for an in-memory dataset, identifying, based on the structured query, a plurality of tables included in the in-memory dataset, generating, for each table in the plurality of tables, a first index of records in the table that is associated with at least one field value responsive to the structured query, and a second index of records in the table that is not associated with at least one field value responsive to the structured query, and executing the structured query by processing indices in one or more of the tables to identify a list of records containing field values that are responsive to the structured query.

Abstract: In various embodiments a computer-implemented method for managing use of a shared compression dictionary in a distributed database environment. The method includes determining that a given version of the shared compression dictionary should be designated as a current primary version of the shared compression dictionary. The method also includes receiving, from a client device, first write data compressed with a previous primary version of the shared compression dictionary and in response to receiving the first write data, transmitting, to the client device, the current primary version of the shared compression dictionary and an instruction to compress new write data with the current primary version of the shared compression dictionary. Additionally, the method includes receiving, from the client device, a second write data compressed with the current primary version of the shared compression dictionary and storing the second write data in a database.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a client application requests information relating to content servers from which particular content can be accessed, or a manifest server that maintains such information and is distinct from the Domain Name System (DNS) automatically determines that the client application is likely to request the content server information. The manifest server then transmits, to the client application, information specifying (1) hostnames associated with the content servers from which the particular content can be accessed, and (2) Internet Protocol (IP) addresses corresponding to the hostnames. Thereafter, the client application can use the IP addresses to connect to the content servers and validate certificates provided by the content servers, in order to establish secure communication channels with the content servers.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a proxy application processes requests associated with a network-based service. In operation, the proxy application determines that a first request received from a client application indicates that a response to the first request can be offloaded from a server machine. Prior to transmitting the first request to the server machine, the proxy application transmits a response to the first request to the client application. The response indicates that the server machine has successfully processed the first request. Advantageously, upon receiving the response, the client application is able to initiate a second request irrespective of the server machine.

Abstract: A neural network system that is trained to identify one or more portions of a media title where synchronization errors are likely to be present. The neural network system is trained based on a first set of media titles where synchronization errors are present and a second set of media titles where synchronization errors are absent. The second set of media titles can be generated by introducing synchronization errors into a set of media titles that otherwise lack synchronization errors. Via training, the neural network system learns to identify specific visual features included in one or more video frames and corresponding audio features that should be played back in synchrony with the associated visual features. Accordingly, when presented with a media title that includes synchronization errors, the neural network can indicate the specific frames where synchronization errors are likely to be present.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an optimization engine regenerates items included in an interactive page while the user is interacting with the interactive page. In operation, an optimization engine displays a portion of the interactive page during a viewing session. Subsequently, the optimization engine computes a probability distribution for the viewing session over a set of interests based on model parameters and operations performed by the user during the viewing session. The optimization engine then regenerates items that are included in a second portion of the interactive page based on the probability distribution for the viewing session. The optimization engine displays a least a part of the resulting regenerated interactive page. Advantageously, by regenerating items included in the interactive page based on operations performed by the user during the viewing session, the optimization engine reduces the time required for the user to view an item that piques an interest.

Abstract: A playback application is configured to analyze audio frames associated with transitions between segments within a media title to identify one or more portions of extraneous audio. The playback application is configured to analyze the one or more portions of extraneous audio and then determine which of the one or more corresponding audio frames should be dropped. In doing so, the playback application can analyze a topology associated with the media title to determine whether any specific portions of extraneous audio are to be played outside of a logical ordering of audio samples set forth in the topology. These specific portions of extraneous audio are preferentially removed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a clip application computes a set of appearance values for an appearance metric based on shot sequences associated with a media content item. Each appearance value in the set of appearance values indicates a prevalence of a first character in a different shot sequence associated with the media content item. The clip application then performs one or more clustering operations on the shot sequences based on the set of appearance values to generate a first shot cluster. Subsequently, the clip application generates a clip for the media content item based on the first shot cluster. The clip application transmits the clip to an endpoint device for display. Advantageously, relative to primarily manual approaches, the clip application can more efficiently and reliably generate clips for media content items.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an encoding optimization application encodes a source video sequence. The encoding optimization application partitions a source video sequence associated with a media title into multiple subsequences that include a first subsequence and a second subsequence. The encoding optimization application then generates a first encoded subsequence based on the first subsequence and a first resolution. The encoding optimization application generates a second encoded subsequence based on the second subsequence and a second resolution. Notably, the second resolution is higher than the first resolution. The encoding optimization application then aggregates the first encoded subsequence and the second encoded subsequence to generate an encoded video sequence. At least a portion of the encoded video sequence is subsequently streamed to an endpoint device during a playback of the media title.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application set forth a computer-implemented method that includes intercepting a first system call from a client application, wherein the system call comprises a request to connect to a target destination; obtaining a file descriptor for a socket associated with the request to connect from the client application; modifying a network namespace for the socket; and causing a connection to be established from the client application to the target destination.

Abstract: One embodiment sets forth a technique that includes receiving a request for a range of data included in an encoded version of the media title that is stored across a set of files. The technique also includes determining, based on a file extent index, one or more files included in the set of files, wherein the file extent index maps an identifier for each file in the set to a given range of data that is stored in the file and included in the encoded version. The technique further includes retrieving the range of data from the file(s), wherein at least a portion of the retrieved range of data falls within the given range of data that is stored in each of the one or more files, and transmitting the range of data in a response to the request.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method includes analyzing, by a speech detection system, a media file to detect lip movement of a speaker who is visually rendered in media content of the media file. The method additionally includes identifying, by the speech detection system, audio content within the media file, and improving accuracy of a temporal correlation of the speech detection system. The method may involve correlating the lip movement of the speaker with the audio content, and determining, based on the correlation between the lip movement of the speaker and the audio content, that the audio content comprises speech from the speaker. The method may further involve recording, based on the determination that the audio content comprises speech from the speaker, the temporal correlation between the speech and the lip movement of the speaker as metadata of the media file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed.