A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a system of distributed servers that deliver web content based on the user's geographic location. By placing edge servers at the network's edge, CDNs reduce the physical distance data must travel, significantly decreasing latency and improving page load speeds.
How it works
When a user requests a resource, the DNS system routes the request to the nearest edge server. If the content is cached, it is served immediately. If not, the edge server fetches the file from the origin, stores it, and delivers it to the client. Modern CDNs also optimize dynamic traffic using pre-established connections and intelligent routing.
CDNs are essential for high-traffic websites, video streaming platforms, and software distribution. They prevent origin server overloads during traffic spikes and provide a layer of redundancy. If one edge node fails, traffic is automatically rerouted to the next closest healthy server.
- Reduces
latencyby up to 50% for global users. - Offloads up to 90% of bandwidth from the origin server.
- Provides built-in security features like WAF and DDoS mitigation.