US 8,527,645 B1Granted

Distributing transcoding tasks across a dynamic set of resources using a queue responsive to restriction-inclusive queries

AssigneeLimelight Networks, Inc.

InventorsSpencer Proffit, Huw Morgan, Michael Asavareungchai, Sean Cassidy, Brandon Smith

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Abstract

A method and system for performing processing tasks is disclosed. At a resource, a detection is made as to when the resource is available to perform a processing task. Usage of the resource for performing processing tasks associated with each client of a set of clients is monitored. A restriction limiting which processing task is to be assigned to the resource is identified. The restriction identifies a hierarchy amongst at least two clients of the set of clients. The hierarchy is based on the monitored usage. A query identifying the restriction is generated. The query is transmitted to a remote queue in communication with a plurality of independent resources. The plurality of independent resources includes the resource. A response is received from the queue. The response identifies a processing task.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A content delivery network (CDN) for assigning processing tasks, the CDN comprising:

a first points of presence (POP) at a first geographical location that includes a first resource, the first resource being assigned to a first client, wherein the first resource includes a queue manager that:
detects when the first resource is available to perform a processing task,
monitors usage of the first resource for performing processing tasks associated with each of a second client and a third client over a time period,
identifies a restriction that specifies a type of processing task to be assigned to the first resource or a geographical locale for performance of the processing task, the restriction specifying that processing tasks associated with the prioritized client are to be assigned over comparable processing tasks associated with the unprioritized client, the prioritized client being whichever of a second client and a third client was associated with less monitored usage, and the unprioritized client being the other of the second and third client,
generates a query identifying the restriction, and
transmits the query to a queue;
a second POP at a second geographical location that includes a second resource, the second resource being assigned to the second client;
a third POP at a third geographical location that includes a third resource, the third resource being assigned to the third client;
and
the queue, wherein the queue:
is loaded into memory,
includes a set of queue items, each queue item being associated with a client, and each queue item identifying a processing task,
responds to queries from each of the first, second and third resources,
upon receipt of the query, selects a queue item from the set of queue items based on the restriction,
assigns the selected queue item to the first resource, and
transmits a response to the first resource, the response identifying a processing task of the selected queue item.

13 more elements

A resource for performing processing tasks within a content delivery network (CDN) having a plurality of points of presence geographically distributed, the resource comprising:

an availability detector that detects when the resource is available to perform a processing task;
a local-performance monitor that monitors usage of the resource for performing processing tasks associated with each client of a set of clients;
a restriction engine that identifies a restriction that specifies a type of processing task to be assigned to the resource or a geographical locale for performance of the processing task, the restriction identifying a hierarchy amongst at least two clients of the set of clients, the hierarchy being based on the monitored usage;
a query generator that generates a query identifying the restriction;
and
a queue communicator that:
transmits the query to a remote queue in communication with a plurality of independent resources, the plurality of independent resources including the resource,
receives a response from the queue, the response identifying a selected queue item, the selected queue item having been selected from a set of processing tasks based on the hierarchy, and
stores the response from the queue in a memory, wherein:
the memory and the resource are located within a first point of presence of the plurality of points of presence,
the response identifies the selected queue item based on the restriction, and
the selected queue item is assigned, by the queue, to the resource.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.