Method and Computer Program for Collaboration Between an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a Content Distribution System, as Well as Between Multiple ISPs

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention provides a method and computer program enabling efficient collaboration between Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Content Distribution Networks (CDNs)—or between multiple ISPs—for determining the best servers to deliver internet content. By allowing both the ISP and the CDN/other ISP to independently rank potential content delivery hosts and then merging these ranked lists, the system ensures optimal delivery paths without either party revealing sensitive internal information. The approach improves content delivery efficiency and user experience while preserving privacy and operational confidentiality for the ISPs and CDNs involved.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Optimizing content delivery networks to improve user experience by selecting the best server based on both ISP and CDN criteria.
• Enabling ISPs to collaborate directly with each other for more efficient data routing, such as during peak times or in cross-border internet traffic.
• Allowing enterprises or large organizations with private networks to interact with multiple ISPs/CDNs without exposing internal network details.
• Improving DNS-based server selection methods by incorporating both ISP and CDN knowledge without the need for revealing proprietary data.
• Enhancing traffic engineering and network management for ISPs and CDNs in multi-provider environments.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improves end-user experience by selecting more optimal servers for content delivery.
• Enables effective ISP-CDN and ISP-ISP collaboration without the need to share sensitive or proprietary operational details.
• Minimizes network latency and congestion by leveraging both ISP and CDN insights in decision-making.
• Increases flexibility and scalability for content delivery across complex and multi-party internet infrastructure.
• Enhances privacy and security for network operators by avoiding exposure of network topology and user information.
• Can be integrated transparently into existing DNS-based infrastructure with minimal changes for the client.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

A method of enabling collaboration between an internet service provider (ISP) and a content distribution system (CDN) or between the ISP and an other ISP, comprises the steps of: gathering a domain name system (DNS) query; the ISP evaluating the DNS query wherein candidate hosts suitable for delivering content in accordance with the DNS query are collected; the ISP ranking the candidate hosts; the ISP providing a first list of the ISP-ranked candidate hosts; the ISP forwarding the DNS query to the CDN or to the other ISP; the CDN or the other ISP evaluating the DNS query wherein candidate hosts suitable for delivering content in accordance with the DNS query are collected; the CDN or the other ISP ranking the candidate hosts; the CDN or the other ISP providing a second list of the CDN-ranked or other ISP-ranked candidate hosts; matching the first list and the second list; and providing a matched list of ranked candidate hosts. According to the invention, by providing the first list of the ISP-ranked candidate hosts as well as the second list of the CDN-ranked or other ISP-ranked candidate hosts and by matching these two lists a client can obtain the matched list of matched candidate hosts. Thus, it is possible that the ISP efficiently collaborates with the CDN or the other ISP without transferring or unveiling critical information between each other.