Content distribution network supporting popularity-based caching

An apparatus comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• first memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:
• store a first portion of a content item in a first caching device, wherein the first caching device is in a first tier of a hierarchy of caching devices;
• determine:
• a first weighted popularity, associated with a first time, of a second portion of the content item, and
• a second weighted popularity, associated with a second time, of the second portion of the content item,
• wherein the first weighted popularity is weighted differently from the second weighted popularity;
• store, based on the first weighted popularity and the second weighted popularity, the second portion of the content item in a second caching device, wherein the second caching device is in a second tier of the hierarchy of caching devices, and wherein the second tier is different from the first tier;
• receive a request for the content item;
• determine that the first caching device and the second caching device each store at least a portion of the content item;
• initiate, based on the request for the content item, a first request for the first portion of the content item from the first caching device;
• and
• initiate, based on the request for the content item, a second request for the second portion of the content item from the second caching device.

At least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause:

• storage of a first portion of a content item in a first caching device, wherein the first caching device is in a first tier of a hierarchy of caching devices;
• determining:
• a first weighted popularity, associated with a first time, of a second portion of the content item, and
• a second weighted popularity, associated with a second time, of the second portion of the content item,
• wherein the first weighted popularity is weighted differently from the second weighted popularity;
• storage, based on the first weighted popularity and the second weighted popularity, of the second portion of the content item in a second caching device, wherein the second caching device is in a second tier of the hierarchy of caching devices, and wherein the second tier is different from the first tier;
• receiving a request for the content item;
• determining that the first caching device and the second caching device each store at least a portion of the content item;
• requesting, from the first caching device and based on the request for the content item, the first portion of the content item;
• and
• requesting, from the second caching device and based on the request for the content item, the second portion of the content item.