Optimizing multimedia streaming in WLANs (wireless local access networks)

摘要

An SDN controller to provision network resources at a data plane to keep progressive downloads of multimedia files proportional to encoding rates is disclosed. Packets from a new or unknown flow being downloaded at a default rate are forwarded from an access point, or other device, to an SDN controller for analysis. If a progressive download of a multimedia file (e.g., a video file) in progress is detected, an encoding rate of frames for the multimedia file is determined. A target download rate for the multimedia file at the access point is determined based on the encoding rate, in an embodiment. Other optional factors also take into account network-wide data plane information gathered by the SDN controller from various points on the network. Additionally, a playback history for a particular multimedia file can affect the target download rate, based on whether, for example, a file is likely to be quickly halted.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method in an SDN (Software-Defined Networking) controller of a communication network for optimizing multimedia downloads at a remote data plane, the method comprising the steps of:
detecting a progressive download of a multimedia file in progress to a station through a first access point; examining packets of the multimedia file to determine an encoding rate of frames for the multimedia file; determining a target download rate for the multimedia file at the access point based on the encoding rate; generating one or more OpenFlow rules to implement the target download rate at a data plane of the first access point, wherein the data plane is remote to the SDN controller; implementing the one or more OpenFlow rules at the data plane of the first access point to meet the target download rate.