Methods and apparatus for performing content distribution in a content distribution network

A computerized device comprising:

• at least one communications interface;
• a memory;
• a processor;
• and
• an interconnection mechanism coupling the at least one communications interface, the memory and the processor;
• and
• wherein the memory is encoded with a path manager application that when performed on the processor, produces a path manager process that causes the computerized device to establish a data distribution path for content within a content distribution network by performing the steps of:
• receiving a network topology definition defining at least one hierarchical interconnection of network groups, each network group comprising at least one content engine;
• receiving a channel definition comprising a selection of a plurality of content engines that are to distribute content within the content distribution network, the plurality of content engines in the channel definition selected from content engines within the network groups defined within the network topology definition;
• determining an assignment of at least one root content engine within the channel definition;
• and
• applying a content distribution path determination technique to the network topology definition in relation to the channel definition to determine a set of content distribution paths in the content distribution network to be used for distribution of content from the at least one root content engine to the plurality of content engines defined in the channel definition.

A computer program product having a computer-readable medium including computer program logic encoded thereon that, when performed in a computerized device having a coupling of a memory, a processor, and at least one communications interface, provides a method for establishing a data distribution path for content within a content distribution network by causing the computerized device to perform the operations of:

• receiving a network topology definition defining at least one hierarchical interconnection of network groups, each network group comprising at least one content engine;
• receiving a channel definition comprising a selection of a plurality of content engines that are to distribute content within the content distribution network, the plurality of content engines in the channel definition selected from content engines within the network groups defined within the network topology definition;
• determining an assignment of at least one root content engine within the channel definition;
• and
• applying a content distribution path determination technique to the network topology definition in relation to the channel definition to determine a set of content distribution paths in the content distribution network to be used for distribution of content from the at least one root content engine to the plurality of content engines defined in the channel definition.