Method and apparatus for multicast cloud with integrated multicast and unicast channel routing in a content distribution network
US7373394B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/63
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for defining content distribution paths in a content distribution network integrate unicast and multicast connections. Content engines in the content distributed network are organized into channels with a master content engine maintaining specific content. The content distribution network is further organized into a distribution hierarchy based on network topology and channel definitions, first by establishing unicast paths through the content distributed network and then by integrating multicast paths into the unicast hierarchy. The further organization of the content distribution network establishes distribution trees from the channel masters to the network edges.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.