Video server network where each server's capacity is evaluated to determine overall network capacity

摘要

A method of serving out video over a network (308) of video servers (306a-n) comprises evaluating a capacity of said network (308) as a whole to serve out specific video items by establishing for each video server (306a-n) in said network (308) an established ability of each said server (306a-n) to serve out such said specific items that are potentially servable from said each video server (306a-n). The method further comprises using said established abilities of each said video server (306a-n) to evaluate an overall capability of said network (308) as whole to serve out each of said specific video items. The method also comprises taking steps triggered by said overall capability of said network (308) to vary said overall capability to serve out at least a selected one of said specific video items.