Subscriber configuration ingestion in a content delivery network

Abstract

A method on a device in a content delivery (CD) network (CDN) that distributes content on behalf of one or more subscribers. In response to receiving configuration information from a subscriber, the configuration information relating to at least one property of the subscriber, generating subscriber-specific platform configuration information for the at least one property. Storing the subscriber-specific platform configuration information in platform configuration storage. Invalidating prior platform configuration information associated with the particular subscriber. Responsive to a request from a CDN component for platform configuration information associated with the particular subscriber: obtaining the subscriber-specific platform configuration information from the platform configuration storage; and providing the subscriber-specific platform configuration information to the CDN component.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method operable on a device in a content delivery (CD) network, wherein said CD network (CDN) distributes content on behalf of one or more subscribers, the method comprising:
 (A) receiving configuration information from a particular subscriber of said one or more subscribers, said configuration information relating to at least one property of said particular subscriber;   (B) in response to said receiving, generating subscriber-specific platform configuration information for said at least one property of said particular subscriber;   (C) storing said subscriber-specific platform configuration information in platform configuration storage;   (D) invalidating prior platform configuration information associated with said particular subscriber; and   (E) in response to a request from at least one CDN component for platform configuration information associated with said particular subscriber,
 (E)(1) obtaining said subscriber-specific platform configuration information from said platform configuration storage; and 
 (E)(2) providing said subscriber-specific platform configuration information to said at least one CDN component. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving in (A) was based on a message obtained from a messaging broker, said message indicating a need to create new subscriber-specific platform configuration information for said particular subscriber. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said configuration information is received in (A) from distributed database distinct from said messaging broker. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said messaging broker obtained said message from a configuration interface based on an action by said particular subscriber. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said action by said particular subscriber comprises: creating said configuration information. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said creating comprises modifying existing configuration information. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said request from said CDN component in (E) was based on said CDN component determining that said prior platform configuration information associated with said particular subscriber had been invalidated. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said providing in (E)(2) is performed for multiple distinct CDN components. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CDN component provides CD services selected from the group comprising: delivery services, caching services, streaming services, rendezvous services, collector services, object services, compute services, fill services, origin services, storage services, control services, reduction services, distribution services, monitoring services, and reporting services. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one CDN component comprises a delivery server. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein, after said providing in (E)(2), said delivery server customizes said subscriber-specific platform configuration information to form server-specific platform configuration information for said particular subscriber. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, after said providing in (E)(2), said delivery server serves content on behalf of said particular subscriber based on said server-specific platform configuration information for said particular subscriber. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said server-specific platform configuration information for said particular subscriber is formed using said subscriber-specific platform configuration information, and based on capabilities of said server. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said configuration information comprises at least one match rule. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one match rule is table driven. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said configuration information comprises at least one match rule group, each said group comprising a collection of one or more match rules. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a match rule group comprises a collection of one or more match rules with first-match-wins semantics. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one match rule group comprises: a first collection of one or more match rules for processing on receipt of a request and a second collection of one or more match rules for processing on receipt of a response. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one match rule group comprise multiple match rule groups, and wherein said multiple match rule groups are processed in a specified order. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein match rules may have corresponding match rule IDs that can be used to order rules and to provide jump targets. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one match rule comprises at least one transform. 
     
     
         22 . An article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium having program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions, operable on a device in a content delivery (CD) network, wherein said CD network (CDN) distributes content on behalf of one or more subscribers, said instructions, when executed by a processor in said CDN, cause said processor to:
 (a) receive configuration information from a particular subscriber of said one or more subscribers, said configuration information relating to at least one property of said particular subscriber;   (b) in response to said receiving, generate subscriber-specific platform configuration information for said at least one property of said particular subscriber;   (c) store said subscriber-specific platform configuration information in platform configuration storage;   (d) invalidate prior platform configuration information associated with said particular subscriber; and   (e) in response to a request from at least one CDN component for platform configuration information associated with said particular subscriber,
 (e)(1) obtain said subscriber-specific platform configuration information from said platform configuration storage; and 
 (e)(2) provide said subscriber-specific platform configuration information to said at least one CDN component. 
   
     
     
         23 . The article of manufacture of  claim 22 , wherein said receiving in (A) was based on a message obtained from a messaging broker, said message indicating a need to create new subscriber-specific platform configuration information for said particular subscriber. 
     
     
         24 . The article of manufacture of  claim 23 , wherein said configuration information is received in (a) from distributed database distinct from said messaging broker. 
     
     
         25 . The article of manufacture of  claim 23 , wherein said messaging broker obtained said message from a configuration interface based on an action by said particular subscriber. 
     
     
         26 . The article of manufacture of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one CDN component provides CD services selected from the group comprising: delivery services, caching services, streaming services, rendezvous services, collector services, object services, compute services, fill services, origin services, storage services, control services, reduction services, distribution services, monitoring services, and reporting services. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said configuration information comprises at least one match rule. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one match rule is table driven. 
     
     
         29 . An device in a content delivery (CD) network, wherein said CD network (CDN) distributes content on behalf of one or more subscribers, said device constructed and adapted to:
 (a) receive configuration information from a particular subscriber of said one or more subscribers, said configuration information relating to at least one property of said particular subscriber;   (b) in response to said receiving, generate subscriber-specific platform configuration information for said at least one property of said particular subscriber;   (c) store said subscriber-specific platform configuration information in platform configuration storage;   (d) invalidate prior platform configuration information associated with said particular subscriber; and   (e) in response to a request from at least one CDN component for platform configuration information associated with said particular subscriber,
 (e)(1) obtain said subscriber-specific platform configuration information from said platform configuration storage; and 
   (e)(2) provide said subscriber-specific platform configuration information to said at least one CDN component.