Network parameter configuration based on end user device characteristics

Abstract

Systems, methods, and software for operating a content node are provided herein. In one example, a method of operating a content node is presented. The method includes receiving a characteristic of an end user device, and configuring one or more transmission control protocol (TCP) parameter for communications with the end user device based on at least the characteristic of the end user device. The method also includes transferring the communications using the one or more TCP parameters for delivery to the end user device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a server in a content network, the method comprising:
 receiving, over a connection between the server and a user application on an end-user device, a request for content from the user application;   sending, to the user application, a request for device information;   receiving a reply to the request for the device information, wherein the reply comprises one or more characteristics of the end-user device;   configuring one or more parameters of the connection based on at least the one or more characteristics of the end user device; and   sending the content to the user application over the connection and in accordance with the one or more parameters.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the connection comprises a transmission control protocol (TCP) connection. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the one or more characteristics of the end-user device comprise memory capacity and available memory. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the one or more parameters of the connection comprise a TCP window size. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the user application comprises a video streaming application. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the user application comprises a news application. 
     
     
         7 . A computer server comprising:
 one or more computer readable storage media;   one or more processors operatively coupled with the one or more computer readable storage media; and   program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media that, when executed by the one or more processors, direct the computer server to at least:   receive, over a connection between the server and a user application on an end-user device, a request for content from the user application;   send, to the user application, a request for device information;   receive a reply to the request for the device information, wherein the reply comprises one or more characteristics of the end-user device;   configure one or more parameters of the connection based on at least the one or more characteristics of the end user device; and   send the content to the user application over the connection and in accordance with the one or more parameters.   
     
     
         8 . The computer server of  claim 7  wherein the connection comprises a transmission control protocol (TCP) connection. 
     
     
         9 . The computer server of  claim 8  wherein the one or more characteristics of the end-user device comprise memory capacity and available memory. 
     
     
         10 . The computer server of  claim 9  wherein the one or more parameters of the connection comprise a TCP window size. 
     
     
         11 . The computer server of  claim 7  wherein the user application comprises a video streaming application. 
     
     
         12 . The computer server of  claim 7  wherein the user application comprises a news application. 
     
     
         13 . A computing apparatus comprising:
 one or more computer readable storage media;   one or more processors operatively coupled with the one or more computer readable storage media; and   a user application comprising program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media that, when executed by the one or more processors, direct the computing apparatus to at least:   send, over a connection between the computing apparatus and a content server, a request for content served by the content server;   receive, from the content server, a request for device information;   send a reply to the request for the device information, wherein the reply comprises one or more characteristics of the computing apparatus;   receive the content from the content server the connection configured in accordance with the one or more parameters.   
     
     
         14 . The computing apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the connection comprises a transmission control protocol (TCP) connection. 
     
     
         15 . The computing apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the one or more characteristics of the end-user device comprise memory capacity and available memory. 
     
     
         16 . The computing apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the one or more parameters of the connection comprise a TCP window size. 
     
     
         17 . The computing apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the user application comprises a video streaming application. 
     
     
         18 . The computing apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the user application comprises a new application. 
     
     
         19 . The computing apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the content server comprises a cache node in a content delivery network. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising:
 a means for receiving, over a connection between a server and a user application on an end-user device, a request for content from the user application;   a means for sending, to the user application, a request for device information;   a means for receiving a reply to the request for the device information, wherein the reply comprises one or more characteristics of the end-user device;   a means for configuring one or more parameters of the connection based on at least the one or more characteristics of the end user device; and   a means for sending the content to the user application over the connection and in accordance with the one or more parameters.