Content delivery network stream server vignette distribution

A CDN for streaming content over the Internet to an end user system, the CDN comprising:

• a content object request function that receives a request for streaming content object to the end user system;
• an edge server selection function that assigns the request to an edge server for streaming content to the end user system;
• a stream-request function, wherein the stream-request function:
• determines the portion of the content object based, at least in part, on the characteristics of the content object, wherein:
• the portion is less than all of content object, and
• the content object comprises a portion and a remainder;
• retrieves the portion of the content object from a remote location;
• and
• stores the portion of the content object such that the portion is accessible to the edge server without storing the remainder unless requested;
• and
• a streaming function that streams the portion of the content object to the end user system.

A method for delivering at least a portion of a content object over the Internet to an end user system with a CDN, which distributes the portion of the content object to the end user system, the method comprising:

• receiving a request to deliver a content object to the end user system;
• assigning the request to an edge server within the CDN;
• determining a portion of the content object based, at least in part, on the characteristics of the content object, wherein:
• the portion is less than all of content object, and
• the content object comprises a portion and a remainder;
• retrieving the portion of the content object from a remote location;
• storing the portion of the content object such that the portion is accessible to the edge server without storing the remainder unless subsequently requested;
• and
• delivering the portion of the content object to the end user system.