Abstract: Techniques for dynamic data center load balancing using Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) are described. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring a load on a first data center by a Domain Name System (DNS) server, where the first data center shares a same Internet Protocol (IP) address with at least a second data center. Upon determining that the load on the first data center exceeds a threshold, the method includes changing weights associated with BGP routes to servers of the first data center to be smaller than weights associated with BGP routes to servers of the second data center. The method also includes advertising, by an edge router, the BGP routes to servers of the second data center and, upon receiving a new connection request from a user, connecting the user to a server of the second data center based on an advertised BGP route.

Abstract: There are instances of a content item having synchronization information, one being an instance of a reference content item, another being a candidate content item. A synchronizing processor determines a synchronization point between the reference content item and the candidate content item, on the basis of matching the synchronization information of the reference content item and the candidate content item. A timeline metadata transmitter transmits stored timeline metadata to a device on which the reference content item is playing, the transmission of the stored timeline metadata beginning from the synchronization point. The stored timeline metadata includes timeline metadata that has been previously aggregated from earlier broadcasts of instances of the reference content item. Related systems, apparatus, and methods are also described.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first content item having synchronization information, the first content item being a first instance of a reference content item, a candidate content item, which is a second instance of the reference content item, having synchronization information, a synchronizing processor which determines a synchronization point between the first content item and the candidate content item, on the basis of matching the synchronization information of the first content item and the candidate content item, a timeline metadata transmitter, which transmits stored timeline metadata to a device on which the first content item is playing, the transmission of the stored timeline metadata beginning from the synchronization point, wherein the stored timeline metadata includes timeline metadata that has been previously aggregated from earlier broadcasts of instances of the reference content item. Related systems, apparatus, and methods are also described.