Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming of multimedia files over a network are described. A streaming delivery accelerator (SDA) receives content from a content provider and streams the receives content to a user when a quality metric exceeds a predetermined value. A similar quality metric applies to caching and storing the received content in the SDA' cache. The caching process can be iterative, with only content not previously retained in the SDA's cache being requested from and retransmitted by the content provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming of multimedia files over a network are described. A streaming delivery accelerator (SDA) caches content from a content provider and streams the cached content to a user. Cached content is incrementally added to the cache memory, and the SDA is disconnected from the content provider when sufficient content for a predetermined time of play has been received. The caching process can be iterative, with only content not previously retained in the cache requested from the content provider. A method for cache eviction of content no longer of interest to users is also described.