Abstract: An apparatus configured for selecting a plurality of edge-server sets, comprising: A metrics manager collects network topology information from edge servers and/or client devices. A request-routing mechanism determines a device network topology for each of a plurality of device types. For each device network topology, a device-specific edge-server set is selected. Device-specific data signals are distributed for storage on a corresponding device-specific edge-server set. A trellis-exploration algorithm can be used to determine each device-specific edge-server set.

Abstract: A set of edge servers in a content delivery network is selected to serve a set of users. Selection comprises constructing a trellis having a number of states at least equal to a number of edge servers in the edge-server set, wherein each state comprises a plurality of nodes, each node corresponding to one of a plurality of candidate edge servers. A fitness function is calculated based on network performance improvement and cost corresponding to each candidate edge server. A trellis-exploration algorithm is used to select the edge-server set by identifying a path through the trellis having optimal path metrics derived from the fitness function. The algorithm provides interconnects between each node of a first state to each of a plurality of nodes in a next state, and for each node in a state, a path is selected that corresponds to a best path metric that connects to a node in a previous state, wherein the best path metric comprises the fitness function.

Abstract: In a content delivery network, a metrics manager processes network topology information from channel measurements collected from at least one of a digi-node field and a client field, and distributes data signals to a selected edge-server set for storage and delivery to client devices. A parent server selects the edge-server set by employing an algorithm that constructs a trellis having a number of states at least equal to a number of edge servers in the edge-server set, wherein each state comprises a plurality of nodes, each node corresponding to one of a plurality of candidate edge servers. A trellis-exploration algorithm provides interconnects between each node of a first state to each of a plurality of nodes in a next state, and for each node in a state, selects a path corresponding to a best performance metric that connects to a node in a previous state, wherein each performance metric comprises the network topology information.

Abstract: A Content Delivery Network comprises a virtual network overlaid on a network of geographically distributed content delivery nodes. The virtual network comprises a subset of the nodes selected to provide at least a minimum predetermined level of service to a requesting client. A virtual network controller resides on at least one virtual network node. The controller routes the requested media to at least one other virtual network node for formatting before delivering the suitably formatted media to the requesting client.

Abstract: An intermediary node, such as an edge node, in a content delivery network (CDN) intercepts a media transmission en-route to a client device. The media transmission and a client profile are analyzed to determine if the media requires additional processing to provide a customized media format before the media is routed to the client device. During message delivery in a CDN, an intermediary edge node intercepts a request for media content from a client device and determines a customized content format based on the request and the client profile before routing the request to an appropriate server.