Systems, apparatuses, methods, and software for using a network to efficiently distributing media content assets from a virtually unlimited content library and/or other storage to a plurality of client devices, as well as bi-directional local content sharing between head ends, and dynamic distribution and generation of media content assets within the network.

A method is provided for managing over-the-top delivery of content through a plurality of content delivery networks (CDN). The method provided works transparently with standard HTTP servers supporting an initial request for content from a client to a first preferred CDN. If the first CDN does not have the content, the method includes provisions for the first CDN to acquire the content from a second CDN, or for the client to request the content from a second CDN directly. A system is also specified for implementing a client and server infrastructure in accordance with the provisions of the method.

Apparatus and methods for delivery of content in a packetized network. In one embodiment, content and/or services can be associated with an IP address. The IP address may be assigned to multiple server devices disposed at geographically diverse locations. Delivery caches may advertise, via a routing protocol, one or more addresses to clients of the network. Route selection may be configured based on one or more rules such as geographical proximity, available bandwidth, server availability, server load, delivery cost, client subscription level, licensing rules, and/or other metric. Delivery caches may be configured to control their availability and/or load through IP address withdrawals and announcements. When the “closest” delivery cache may become unavailable (e.g., it is not announcing the IP address for the content the client is trying to obtain, a route to the next “closest” available delivery cache may be utilized.

A technique for load balancing between first and second DVRs includes receiving a customer-generated signal to enable load balancing of to-be-recorded content at a future time between at least first and second digital video recorders (DVRs). Responsive to the signal and based at least in part on a storage size of at least one content, a load balancing algorithm is executed to determine which of the first DVR or the second DVR to record content at the future time.

A technique for transferring content on a customer's DVR to a new location to which the customer has moved includes accessing information including content and/or identification of content recorded on a first digital video recorder (DVR) located at a first customer facility, and loading the content and/or identification of content on a second DVR at a facility associated with a multiple systems operator (MSO). The second DVR is delivered to the customer at a second customer facility.

A technique includes establishing communication over a network link between first and second digital video recorders (DVRs). The network link includes one or more of: an Internet link, a two way multiple systems operator (MSO) link between a computer system of an MSO and a DVR. Responsive to at least one transfer command, content is transferred from the first DVR to the second DVR over the network link.

A technique for load balancing between first and second DVRs includes receiving a customer-generated signal to enable load balancing between at least first and second digital video recorders (DVRs), and responsive to the signal and based at least in part on a storage size of at least one content, execute a load balancing algorithm to move at least some content from the first DVR to the second DVR.

A technique for using an MSO-based network of DVRs to share content includes receiving a request for content from a first digital video recorder (DVR) in an establishment of a first customer in a multiple system's operator (MSO) video network including at least a second DVR in an establishment of a second customer. The establishment of the first customer is remote from the establishment of the second customer. Responsive to the request for contest, the MSO video network is queried for content satisfying the request. Responsive to identifying the content satisfying the request on the second DVR, the content satisfying the request is copied from the second DVR to the first DVR.

A system and method for providing load balanced secure media content and data delivery (10) in a distributed computing environment is disclosed. Media content is segmented and encrypted into a set of individual encrypted segments on a centralized control center (15). Each individual encrypted segment has the same fixed size. The complete set of individual encrypted segments is staged to a plurality of intermediate control nodes (17, 19). Individual encrypted segments are mirrored from the staged complete set to a plurality of intermediate servers (21a-b, 23a-b). Requests are received from clients (11) for the media content at the centralized control center. Each individual encrypted segment in the set is received from one of an intermediate control node and an intermediate server optimally sited from the requesting client. The individual encrypted segments are reassembled into the media content for media playback.

A content delivery network has at least a first tier of servers. A content delivery method includes, at a first server in the first tier of servers, obtaining a request from a client for a resource. If the resource is available at the first server or at a peer of the first server, then the resource is served to the client from the first server. Otherwise, it is determined whether the resource is popular, and if the resource is determined to be popular, then the first server obtains the resource and the first server serves the resource to the client. If the resource is determined not to be popular, the client is directed to a second server, not in the first tier of servers, and the second server serves the resource to the client. The second server may be in a second tier of servers or it may be an origin server.