Method and apparatus for providing interfacing between content delivery networks

A method for use by an upstream content delivery network (CDN) of forwarding content delivery network interconnection (CDNI) signaling, the method comprising:

• receiving a content request message from an end user;
• accessing an end-user-based CDNI routing table to determine whether there is an access CDN serving the end user;
• generating a CDNI request routing message;
• transmitting the CDNI request routing message to at least one next hop indicated by a selected entry in the CDNI routing table, wherein the at least one next hop is at least one CDNI router, the CDNI router updates and forwards the CDNI request routing response message to the access CDN;
• and
• receiving a CDNI request routing response message.

A content delivery network interconnection (CDNI) router content delivery network (CDN) comprising:

• an input configured to receive a CDNI route advertisement message, the CDNI route advertisement message including a set of routing entries, wherein each route entry includes an IP address block, a path length in number of hops, parameters used to select a route, and policy parameters associated with the selected route;
• a processor configured to update at least one end-user-based CDNI routing table based on the IP address blocks in the CDNI route advertisement message;
• and
• an output configured to transmit an updated CDNI route advertisement message.