Optimization of the decision process in network and server-aware algorithms

Content Aware Networks define architectures capable of providing network, server context and user context-awareness to the selection of the appropriate content server, from which the Multimedia stream will be transmitted. The number and nature of the parameters involved in content server selection require enhanced multi-criteria decision algorithms in order to effectively use the whole information provided by the system. The paper proposes and analyzes by simulations a novel algorithm that enhances the so-called Reference Level decision algorithm. The added value of this paper is the extensive simulation model based on real VoD services that allows comparing different decision algorithms in Content Aware Networks. The simulation results center on comparing the proposed algorithm with a basic reference level decision algorithm and a random algorithm.