Client originated cache key modifiers in edge caching systems

Abstract

Cache keys are modified according to a criterion specified by a requestor that communicates with an edge cache. The requestor determines a cache key modifier based on the criterion and incorporates the cache key modifier into a request for a resource. Determining the cache key modifier based on the criterion can include determining the cache key modifier based on a current time or a 'fingerprint' of a previously obtained response. After receiving a request for a resource that indicates the cache key modifier, the edge cache determines a cache key for a lookup in cache memory for the resource and modifies the cache key with the cache key modifier. Modification of a cache key computed for a resource can be achieved with a cache key prefix, infix, or suffix.