In certain embodiments, a method for modeling the memory of a streaming media server is provided. The method comprises creating a segment-based access model for at least one streaming media file available on a streaming media server, and using the segment-based access model to construct a segment-based model of the media server's memory. In certain embodiments, a system comprises a server comprising a memory having a capacity, the server operable to serve at least one streaming file to clients communicatively coupled thereto. The system further comprises a controller operable to determine an amount of unique bytes of the at least one streaming file served by the server during an elapsed time interval, wherein the amount of unique bytes are equal to the capacity of the server's memory.