CONTROLLING CONTENT CACHING AND RETRIEVAL

A tracker application server (AS) instructs a content cache server (CCS) to join a peer-to-peer (P2P) swarm based on the status of the P2P swarm. The tracker AS determines whether to invite a CCS to join the P2P swarm be based on an underlying network condition change, a peer node joining or leaving the P2P swarm, change(s) in traffic condition, location, capability or workload of the peer node(s) in the swarm. The tracker AS sends an invitation message to the CCS, indicating the content of interest and a peer list identifying the peer nodes of the P2P swarm. Upon receiving the invitation message from the tracker AS, the CCS sends a response to the tracker AS. Upon receiving a response indicating the acceptance of the invitation, the tracker AS puts the CCS into the P2P swarm, and the CCS joins the swarm using a P2P protocol.