Includes bibliographical references and index.

This book examines the real–world engineering challenges of developing robust content delivery networks (CDNs) and provides the tools required to overcome those challenges and to ensure high–quality content delivery that fully satisfies operators and consumers′ commercial objectives. It is informed by the author s two decades of experience building and delivering large, mission–critical live video, webcasts, and radio streaming, online and over private IP networks.

Following an overview of the field, the book cuts to the chase with in–depth discussions laced with good–natured humor of a wide range of design considerations for different network topologies. It begins with a description of the author′s own requirement filtration processes. From there it moves on to initial sketches, through considerations of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, to the complex challenges of managing change in established teams. Agile versus waterfall considerations within large blue chip companies, security, commercial models, and value chain alignment are explored in detail. Featured throughout the book are numerous "what if" scenarios that help provide a clear picture of the wide spectrum of practical contexts for which readers may be tasked with building and implementing a CDN. In addition.