Dynamic source routing for data transfer

摘要

A computer implemented system and method is provided for managing sources of data transfer from a content delivery network (CDN) service provider to a client device. Illustratively, the data transfer is initialized between a first endpoint of the CDN and the client device. While the data transfer is ongoing between the first endpoint and the client device, the system receives performance information regarding alternative endpoints which may replace the first endpoint as the source for the ongoing data transfer. The performance information may be generated by the client device that probes alternative endpoints, or may be generated by dedicated monitoring nodes deployed on the network. Should a change of data transfer source be desirable, the system may cause the first endpoint to stop data transmission and cause a selected alternative endpoint to continue the ongoing data transfer to the client in accordance with a current progress of the data transfer.