Netflix Inc.

Ishaan Shastri

James Schek

Lara Deek

Mohit Vora

Videsh Sadafal

The disclosed computer-implemented method includes determining that incoming media item requests are to be skewed from a random distribution among server nodes, using a random distribution algorithm, to a directed distribution among the server nodes. The method then includes identifying, in a loading assignment, which media items are to be loaded onto specific server nodes to produce the directed distribution of media item requests. The method next includes preloading the identified media items onto the server nodes according to the loading assignment and receiving media item requests for the preloaded media items. The method then includes routing the received media item requests to the server nodes using the random distribution algorithm, where the random distribution algorithm is skewed to the directed distribution based on the preloading of the media items according to the identified loading assignment. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Predetermining network route for content steering

The disclosed computer-implemented method includes accessing cluster hardware information that identifies at least two different types of storage media within a cluster and provides an indication of a respective amount of data throughput for each identified type of storage media. The method next includes accessing popularity information for digital content that is to be stored in the cluster. The popularity information indicates how often the digital content is predicted to be accessed over a specified future period of time. The method also includes allocating the digital content on the different types of storage media within the cluster according to the popularity information. Accordingly, digital content predicted to have higher popularity is placed on storage media types with higher throughput amounts, and digital content predicted to have lower popularity is placed on storage media types with lower throughput amounts. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Media aware content placement

Dynamic content steering based on server and client device capabilities

The disclosed computer-implemented method includes accessing information related to a playback session in which at least a portion of requested multimedia content is streamed over a network to a client electronic device. The method further includes accessing network topology information for the network to identify which route through the network was used to provide the requested multimedia content during the playback session, including indicating which end node was used to provide the multimedia content. Still further, the method includes accessing network steering factors that indicate why the requested multimedia content was steered through the identified network route, determining, based on the network steering factors, which end node would have been more suited to providing the requested multimedia content for the playback session, and then transferring the requested multimedia content to the determined end node for provisioning during subsequent playback sessions. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Ishaan Shastri