Methods and apparatus for processing client requests in a content distribution network using client lists

A content routing device, comprising:

• a memory;
• a processor;
• a communications interface;
• an interconnection mechanism coupling the memory, the processor and the communications interface;
• and
• a request router configured to cause the processor to perform:
• maintaining a first client list identifying a first set of client devices associated with a first content distribution network;
• obtaining a second client list identifying a second set of client devices associated with a second content distribution network;
• producing, from elements of the first client list and the second client list, a preferred client list identifying preferred client devices for which the second content distribution network processes client requests;
• and
• routing a client request associated with a client device to one of, the first content distribution network and the second content distribution network based, at least in part, on the preferred client list;
• and
• periodically refreshing the preferred client list by selectively obtaining the second client list and filtering the first client list and the second client list to reproduce the preferred client list.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform:

• maintaining a first client list identifying a first set of client devices associated with a first content distribution network;
• obtaining a second client list identifying a second set of client devices associated with a second content distribution network;
• producing, from elements of the first client list and the second client list, a preferred client list identifying preferred client devices for which the second content distribution network processes client requests;
• routing a client request associated with a client device to one of, the first content distribution network and the second content distribution network based, at least in part, on the preferred client list;
• and
• periodically refreshing the preferred client list by selectively obtaining the second client list and filtering the first client list and the second client list to reproduce the preferred client list.