Abstract: In some embodiments, a request for a content object may be received as a data packet. Upon determining that the content object is not cached, an element of the data packet may be modified and the modified data packet may be forwarded toward a content provider of the content object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, redundancy elimination for web caching may be provided. Upon receiving a request for a content object, a determination of whether the content object is cached may be made. In response to determining that the content object is not cached, the requested content object may be retrieved and, if the content object is associated with an aggregate popularity exceeding a caching threshold, the content object may be cached before providing the requested content object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first request is received for a probe link from a client that has downloaded a page. The request is received from an application. A test may be performed to determine a server that could optimally service a content request from the client. After receiving the request, the content router sends a re-direct to the client where the re-direct causes the client to follow the re-direct to the server. The server then sends a re-direct back to the client, which the client follows by sending a second request to the content router. The second request is associated with the client and the round-trip time is calculated for the server. It is then determined if the location for the server should be designated as the content deliverer to the client based on the calculated round-trip time.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a request for a content object may be received as a data packet. Upon determining that the content object is not cached, an element of the data packet may be modified and the modified data packet may be forwarded toward a content provider of the content object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, redundancy elimination for web caching may be provided. Upon receiving a request for a content object, a determination of whether the content object is cached may be made. In response to determining that the content object is not cached, the requested content object may be retrieved and, if the content object is associated with an aggregate popularity exceeding a caching threshold, the content object may be cached before providing the requested content object.

Abstract: A technique for selecting a media streaming engine, such as a stream server, to source a media stream to a client involves receiving feedback information from a client that indicates a quality of service experienced by the client and then selecting a media streaming engine, from a set of media streaming engines, in response to the feedback information. In an embodiment, the feedback information is provided in Real-Time Control Protocol (RTCP) messages. For example, the RTCP messages are Receiver Report (RR) messages that contain packet loss and/or inter-arrival jitter information. Feedback information such as packet loss and/or inter-arrival jitter information represents the actual quality of service experienced by a client for a media stream. Because a media streaming engine is selected based on the actual quality of service experienced by a client, the selection process can be configured to optimize the quality of service of the media streaming.

Abstract: A streaming file is constructed with a file header section that includes a file header object, a media data file descriptor, and an index descriptor. A hinting index section includes a first level hinting index with a linear organization corresponding to timing tick key values. A second level hinting index has a non-sequential organization corresponding to such timing tick key values. A special mark in the second level hinting index indicates that the first level hinting index must be consulted for a next timing tick key value. Such mark is positioned in the last of a sequential run of timing tick key values associated with its entries. A data section that can be put in a separate file, and it accepts media data blocks associated in sequential runs of timing tick key values as its entries. Thus hinting is provided for a non-sequential media data file.

Abstract: Techniques are provided herein for failover streaming mechanisms. At a first device (e.g., a content router device) that is configured to interface with a plurality of streaming servers for real-time protocol packet streams, communications are configured with a client device and a first of the plurality of streaming servers associated with a streaming session from the first streaming server to the client device so that the first device receives client session control and session feedback messages associated with the streaming session and so that a packet stream associated with the streaming session transmitted by the first streaming server to the client device does not pass through the first device. The first device stores session state information comprising an address of the client device, streaming session identification information and data representing a current state of the streaming session at the client device derived from the client session control and session feedback messages.

Abstract: Techniques are provided herein for failover streaming mechanisms. At a first device (e.g., a content router device) that is configured to interface with a plurality of streaming servers for real-time protocol packet streams, communications are configured with a client device and a first of the plurality of streaming servers associated with a streaming session from the first streaming server to the client device so that the first device receives client session control and session feedback messages associated with the streaming session and so that a packet stream associated with the streaming session transmitted by the first streaming server to the client device does not pass through the first device. The first device stores session state information comprising an address of the client device, streaming session identification information and data representing a current state of the streaming session at the client device derived from the client session control and session feedback messages.

Abstract: A streaming file is constructed with a file header section that includes a file header object, a media data file descriptor, and an index descriptor. A hinting index section includes a first level hinting index with a linear organization corresponding to timing tick key values. A second level hinting index has a non-sequential organization corresponding to such timing tick key values. A special mark in the second level hinting index indicates that the first level hinting index must be consulted for a next timing tick key value. Such mark is positioned in the last of a sequential run of timing tick key values associated with its entries. A data section that can be put in a separate file, and it accepts media data blocks associated in sequential runs of timing tick key values as its entries. Thus hinting is provided for a non-sequential media data file.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first request is received for a probe link from a client that has downloaded a page. The request is received from an application. A test may be performed to determine a server that could optimally service a content request from the client. After receiving the request, the content router sends a re-direct to the client where the re-direct causes the client to follow the re-direct to the server. The server then sends a re-direct back to the client, which the client follows by sending a second request to the content router. The second request is associated with the client and the round-trip time is calculated for the server. It is then determined if the location for the server should be designated as the content deliverer to the client based on the calculated round-trip time.

Abstract: A technique for selecting a media streaming engine, such as a stream server, to source a media stream to a client involves receiving feedback information from a client that indicates a quality of service experienced by the client and then selecting a media streaming engine, from a set of media streaming engines, in response to the feedback information. In an embodiment, the feedback information is provided in Real-Time Control Protocol (RTCP) messages. For example, the RTCP messages are Receiver Report (RR) messages that contain packet loss and/or inter-arrival jitter information. Feedback information such as packet loss and/or inter-arrival jitter information represents the actual quality of service experienced by a client for a media stream. Because a media streaming engine is selected based on the actual quality of service experienced by a client, the selection process can be configured to optimize the quality of service of the media streaming.