Hierarchical cost based caching for online media

A first cache device comprising:

• a processor and a memory, the memory containing computer readable code that, when executed by the processor, configures the processor to,
• receive a request to send a first asset to a second device,
• determine whether the first asset is stored at the first cache device, and
• when the processor determines that the first asset is not stored at the first cache device, the processor is configured to,
• obtain, by the first cache device, the first asset,
• calculate, by the first cache device, a cost associated with the first asset,
• selectively store the first asset at the first cache device based on a moving average of a marginal value of the first asset with respect to the first cache device and a characteristic marginal value of the first cache device, the characteristic marginal value of the first cache device representing a cost conscious average period of time between receipt of last requests for, and eviction of, assets cached at the first cache device, and
• send the first asset and the calculated cost from the first cache device to the second device.

A method of operating a content distribution network, the content distribution network including a plurality of first cache devices, the plurality of first cache devices being divided into a plurality of hierarchy levels, the method comprising:

• performing a first caching operation for each of the plurality of first cache devices, respectively, such that, for each one of the plurality of first caching devices divided into the plurality of hierarchy levels, the first caching operation includes,
• receiving, by the first cache device, a request to send a first asset to a second device;
• determining, by the first cache device, whether the first asset is stored at the first cache device;
• and
• when the determining determines that the first asset is not stored at the first cache device,
• obtaining, at the first cache device, the first asset,
• calculating a cost associated with the first asset,
• selectively storing the first asset at the first cache device based on a moving average of a marginal value of the first asset with respect to the first cache device and a characteristic marginal value of the first cache device, the characteristic marginal value of the first cache device representing a cost conscious average period of time between receipt of last requests for, and eviction of, assets cached at the first cache device, and
• sending the first asset and the calculated cost from the first cache device to the second device.