Method for distributing multiple description streams on servers in fixed and mobile streaming media systems

A method for distributing a plurality of multiple description bitstreams in a network comprised of a plurality of servers, said network for providing streaming media to a mobile client, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) determining which of said plurality of servers are the appropriate plurality of servers for accommodating said mobile client by performing the steps of;
• i) identifying a cell proximate to said network from which high demand for said plurality of multiple description bitstreams is anticipated;
• ii) determining a subset of said plurality of servers which are disposed close to said cell;
• iii) determining if said subset of said plurality of traffic servers have said plurality of multiple description bitstreams cumulatively stored thereon;
• iv) provided said plurality of multiple description bitstreams are not already cumulatively stored on said subset of said plurality of servers, determining if said plurality of multiple description bitstreams can be cumulatively stored on said subset of said plurality of servers;
• v) provided said plurality of multiple description bitstreams can be cumulatively stored on said subset of said plurality of traffic servers proceeding to said step b);
• and
• vi) provided said plurality of multiple description bitstreams can not be cumulatively stored on said subset of said plurality of servers, increasing the size of said subset of said plurality of servers and repeating steps iii) through vi until proceeding to said step b);
• and
• b) provided said plurality of multiple description bitstreams are not presently cumulatively stored thereon, individually distributing said plurality of multiple description bitstreams to said appropriate plurality of servers such that not all of said plurality of multiple description bitstreams are stored on every one of said appropriate plurality of servers.