Definition

A Content Delivery Server is a server allowing content to be stored, organized, merchandised, and sold over a Delivery Channel.

A Delivery Channel is the union of the mechanism for transmission of content with the set of clients able to receive the data.

• iTunes delivery of Video to PC and Mac clients over IP networks
• iTunes sharing of music libraries to bonjour enabled clients over a LAN or WiFi
• Zune to Zune music sharing over WiFi
• Nintendo DS to DS game sharing over WiFi
• Game download to Nintendo Wii via the Wii Store over IP networks
• Delivery of SMS content over GSM networks to mobile phones
• Midlet download over GSM/GPRS to JavaME enabled mobile phone

The permutations of Delivery Channels abound. From a wireless carrier perspective, they want the ability to add Delivery Channels as new technology intersects with market opportunity. From Content Consumer perspective, they want access to the best content, with the widest selection, at the lowest price, with maximum amount of rights to use the content, with the most seamleess user experience. These five items mattering most to Content Consumers may be at odds with each other, living on their own axis. In otherwords, a consumer cannot, today, get high quality, low cost content, with maximum control over rights to use the content, with a a seamless user experience. Arguably, the only service that comes close is the iTunes Store. But users sacrifice ownership of the music and “fair use” in favor of quality, price, and quantity of available content.

Standards

Todo: Reference standards

Open Source Projects

• open-content-delivery-server

Todo: Reference more Open Source Projects

Vendors

Todo: Reference Vendords

Live Deployments

Todo: Reference Live Deployments