Centralized Selection Of Peers As Media Data Sources In A Dispersed Peer Network

Abstract

A multi-source peer content distribution system transfers content files from multiple, distributed peer computers to any requesting computer. The content distribution network coordinates file transfers through a mediation system including a content catalog and a host broker system. The content catalog contains an identification of each content file, the segmented subunits of each file, and the peer caches to which the subunits have been distributed. The host broker system receives content file requests issued over a network from requesting computers. In response, manifest files identifying the request corresponding content subunits and distributed cache locations are returned. The requesting computers can then retrieve and assemble the corresponding content subunits from the peer computers to obtain the requested content file.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of protecting distributed content accessible for use within a storage network of computer nodes hosting respective content stores, wherein the computer nodes are interconnected by a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) storing portions of a content file in a plurality of content stores within the storage network such that each content store stores a respective subset of a set of the portions of the content file; and   b) sending to a collection computer node a record corresponding to redundant sets of the portions from the plurality of content stores to ensure the collection of the set of the portions of the content file,   wherein at least two of the redundant sets comprise common portions of the content file, and the redundant sets include sufficient portions of the content file to enable streaming of the content file at the collection computer node, and   wherein the record comprises authentication data to authenticate each portion of the set of the portions of the content file as the content file is collected.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein redundant portions of said content file are stored in said plurality of content stores. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least a first of the respective subsets consists of a minority of said portions comprehensive of said content file. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said portions comprehensive of said content file are serially concatenateable to enable presentation of said content file, and wherein said first subset includes a discontiguous series of said portions. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the record differentiates between content stores storing common portions of the content file based on a quality of service metric. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising determining a subset of said plurality of content stores from which to collect said set of said portions comprehensive of said content file, wherein the record includes said subset of said plurality of content stores. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said subset of said plurality of content stores is determined to permit the redundant selection of portions of said content file.