In one embodiment of a network pipe optimization method, a network element may obtain at least one of a push pipe utilization report and a pull pipe utilization report from each distribution node of the content delivery network. Based on the utilization reports, the network element may determine new push pipe weights and new pull pipe weights for distribution pipes associated with each distribution node of the content delivery network. Using at least one of the new push pipe weights and new pull pipe weights, a network pipe utilization model associated with the content delivery network may be simulated. Responsive to determining that the simulated network pipe utilization model yields an improved utilization of the content delivery network, the new push pipe weights and new pull pipe weights may be distributed to each distribution node in the content delivery network.