Method and System for Providing Network Caches

摘要

A method and apparatus for deploying a set of network caches in a communication network is provided. A set of network nodes is identified such that, for each of a set of client device locations, and for at least a number c of the set of nodes, output of a coverage cost function is no greater than a threshold. The coverage cost function receives as input a client location and one of the nodes. The set of network caches are then located at the respective set of nodes. The set of network nodes can be selected from plural candidate sets based on a utility criterion. The candidate sets can be generated by successive addition and/or removal of nodes. Information obtained from a Traffic Engineering function can be used to direct selection of the set of nodes. A cache-client association can be generated for directing clients to particular caches.

主权项

1. A method for providing a set of network caches in a communication network serving a set of client device locations, the method comprising:
obtaining a cost threshold by a cache placement controller; obtaining, by the cache placement controller, an indication of a coverage cost function receiving as input: one of the set of client device locations; and a node of the communication network, and returning a corresponding value as output; determining, by the cache placement controller, a set of nodes of the communication network satisfying a content coverage constraint indicative that, for each one of the set of client device locations: output of the coverage cost function, when receiving as input said one of the set of client device locations and at least a predetermined number c of the set of nodes, is less than or equal to the cost threshold; and locating the set of network caches at the respective set of nodes.