Methods to estimate video playback buffer

A non-transitory, machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:

• initiating a video session responsive to receiving a request for the video session from equipment;
• collecting video session data for the video session to determine key performance indicators for cross-layer interactions with the equipment, wherein the key performance indicators include:
• a transmission control protocol congestion window size that corresponds to a video chunk requested by the equipment, and
• a radio access network throughput of a download of the video chunk requested by the equipment;
• and
• determining a quality of service for the equipment during the video session according to a determined residual length of content in a playback buffer for the equipment based on the transmission control protocol congestion window size, and the radio access network throughput.

A device, comprising:

• a processing system including a processor;
• and
• a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
• requesting an on demand video session from a network server;
• and
• initiating playback of video data for the on demand video session responsive to receiving the video data for the on demand video session from the network server, wherein key performance indicators are collected for cross-layer interactions for the on demand video session with the device to manage network server performance to prevent a buffering event at the device, wherein the key performance indicators include:
• a transmission control protocol congestion window size that corresponds to a video chunk requested by the device, and
• a radio access network throughput of a download of the video chunk requested, a quality of service being determined for the device during the on demand video session according to an estimated residual length of content in a playback buffer for the device based on the transmission control protocol congestion window size, and the radio access network throughput.