Abstract: One or more validation keys are embedded in a data stream at a server. A client requests the data stream from the server. The server sends the data stream to the client. The client receives the data stream, and samples the data stream to detect one or more validation keys.

Abstract: One or more validation keys are embedded in a data stream at a server. A client requests the data stream from the server. The server sends the data stream to the client. The client receives the data stream, and samples the data stream to detect one or more validation keys.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention is a method for selecting a site in a network based on the IP (Internet Protocol) of a requesting system. When a request for data is made from a requesting system, the requesting system's IP address is used to determine if an edge server, that is, a streaming server co-located with the requesting system's Web host, exists for the requesting system. If an edge server for the requesting system exists, then the requesting system receives the requested data from the edge server. If no edge server exists, then the requesting system receives the requested data from a deployment server.

Abstract: A system is described comprising: a primary root splitter to split a data stream transmitted from an upstream server into a plurality of leaf splitter streams; a plurality of leaf splitters to split each of the leaf splitter streams into a plurality of end user streams, wherein one or more of the plurality of leaf splitters is a backup root splitter; and root splitter reassignment logic for reassigning one of the backup root splitters as a new primary root splitter responsive to detecting a problem with the primary root splitter. Also described is a method comprising: monitoring a primary root splitter to ensure that the primary root splitter is operating within predefined parameters, the primary root splitter to split a single data stream into multiple data streams transmitted to multiple leaf splitters; and reassigning one of the leaf splitters as a new primary root splitter responsive to detecting that the primary root splitter is not operating within the predefined parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for error handling and recovery in a content distribution system is described in which errors corresponding to failed file operations (e.g., file transfer errors, file delete errors) are placed in an error queue. Error analysis logic reads the errors from the error queue and makes a determination as to whether the file operation errors are recoverable errors based on an error recovery policy. If the error analysis logic determines that recovery is possible, then one or more error recovery procedures are invoked. The procedures may be specific to the content delivery system (e.g., “Server X was down on 1/20 between 10:20 and 11:00 AM”), or may be more general (e.g., “attempt file transfers 5 times before quitting”). If it is determined that an error is not automatically recoverable, then the error is included in an error report.

Abstract: One or more validation keys are embedded in a data stream at a server. A client requests the data stream from the server. The server sends the data stream to the client. The client receives the data stream, and samples the data stream to detect one or more validation keys.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention is a method for selecting a site in a network based on the IP (Internet Protocol) of a requesting system. When a request for data is made from a requesting system, the requesting system's IP address is used to determine if an edge server, that is, a streaming server co-located with the requesting system's Web host, exists for the requesting system. If an edge server for the requesting system exists, then the requesting system receives the requested data from the edge server. If no edge server exists, then the requesting system receives the requested data from a deployment server.