Application acceleration with partial file caching

An edge server for distributing content, comprising:

• a processor configured to:
• receive an indication indicating that a client has sent a file request for a file that includes a plurality of pieces of content related to executing an application;
• analyze previous content requests by one or more clients to determine a first portion of the file that is likely to be required by the client for executing the application sooner than a second portion of the file, wherein a previous content request by one client comprises an explicit request sent to the edge server or another server, requesting a specific piece of content related to executing the application;
• generate a modified file that includes the first portion of the file, wherein the first portion of the file includes a partial file corresponding to the file, and wherein the partial file is fetched from a cache within a hierarchy of caches, and wherein a level of the cache within the hierarchy of caches is determined at least in part based on the analyzed previous content requests by the one or more clients, and wherein a cache located at a higher level within the hierarchy of caches has a higher network latency path to the client;
• and
• transmit the modified file to the client;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

A computer program product for distributing content, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:

• receiving by an edge server an indication indicating that a client has sent a file request for a file that includes a plurality of pieces of content related to executing an application;
• analyzing by the edge server previous content requests by one or more clients to determine a first portion of the file that is likely to be required by the client for executing the application sooner than a second portion of the file, wherein a previous content request by one client comprises an explicit request sent to the edge server or another server, requesting a specific piece of content related to executing the application;
• generating by the edge server a modified file that includes the first portion of the file, wherein the first portion of the file includes a partial file corresponding to the file, and wherein the partial file is fetched from a cache within a hierarchy of caches, and wherein a level of the cache within the hierarchy of caches is determined at least in part based on the analyzed previous content requests by the one or more clients, and wherein a cache located at a higher level within the hierarchy of caches has a higher network latency path to the client;
• and
• transmitting the modified file to the client.