Method and apparatus for high bandwidth data transmission in content-based networks

A method for distributing content on a network comprising:

• initiating a session request to a remote upstream network entity, said request comprising a request for at least one data structure, said data structure being unrelated to content;
• receiving information from said network, said information being used for establishing said session via a dedicated communication channel;
• receiving said at least one data structure over said dedicated communication channel via said session, said at least one data structure comprising raw data converted to at least one packet stream and data descriptive of said raw data for transmission to a consumer premises equipment (CPE);
• extracting said at least one packet stream based at least on an identifier thereof;
• upon receipt of an indicator configured to indicate receipt of an entirety of said packet stream and said descriptive data, terminating said session;
• reassembling said extracted packet stream into said at least one data structure using said descriptive data, said act of reassembling being triggered in part by said indicator;
• and
• executing said at least one reassembled data structure by said CPE, said act of executing occurring without requiring a second session to be established with an on-demand server.

A method for distributing content on a network, said method comprising:

• receiving a request to instantiate a session for delivery of at least one non-content related data structure to a requesting CPE;
• transmitting information to said requesting CPE, said information configured to enable said requesting CPE to establish said session via a dedicated communication channel;
• transmitting said at least one non-content related data structure over said dedicated communication channel to said requesting CPE via said session, said at least one non-content related data structure comprising:
• (i) raw data converted to at least one packet stream, and (ii) descriptive metadata describing said raw data;
• extracting said at least one packet stream using at least one program identification (PID) value thereof;
• and
• transmitting an indicator to said requesting CPE, said indicator configured to indicate delivery of an entirety of said packet stream and said descriptive metadata to said requesting CPE;
• wherein said requesting CPE is configured to upon receipt of said indicator:
• terminate said session;
• reassemble said extracted packet stream into said at least one non-content related data structure using said descriptive metadata;
• and
• execute said at least one reassembled non-content related data structure without requiring a second session to be established with an on-demand server.