CDNetworks10 Common Questions about Content Delivery Networks

What is the Purpose of a CDN?

Quickly deliver websites and applications to end users anywhere in the world in a secure and reliable environment. The less time it takes to transmit web content to the end user, the faster websites load/respond. In addition to accelerating content delivery, CDNs also serve as a fail-safe system to ensure the site is always available during traffic peaks and server outages.

How Does a CDN Work to Solve Web Performance Issues?

Providing an interconnected network tuned for speed, reliability and scalability. CDNs enable web entities to bypass the inefficiencies of the standard internet, ensuring faster and more reliable web content delivery. Site owners can rely on CDNs to efficiently balance traffic loads, dynamically scale to accommodate any traffic surges, and even detect and mitigate security threats.

Why Should I Use a CDN and Not Multiple Datacenters?

The primary reasons are it is practical and it saves you cost and time. Managing multiple, globally distributed datacenters can be extremely expensive and resource intensive, requiring fixed up-front costs and a multitude of ongoing operating costs. In addition to cost, it can take months or even up to years to build, set up and deploy a fully functional network of datacenters.

CDNs provide a quick deployment strategy and eliminate huge investments associated with building and maintaining an internal infrastructure. Most organizations will see positive net results in a few months, versus a typical two year period before seeing any returns on deploying an internal solution.

Can CDNs Accelerate Dynamic Content/Applications?

Yes, but not all CDNs are capable of accelerating dynamic content. Most CDNs only have the ability to cache (duplicate) content throughout their network for quicker delivery. However, dynamic content such as games, applications, online trading transactions… any data that is generated in real-time cannot be cached and must be delivered directly from the origin server.

Dynamic acceleration is typically only provided by tier-one CDNs configured to streamline data requests and delivery between the origin server and the end user. Dynamic acceleration enables data from the origin server to bypass standard internet nodes and be delivered through a more direct and efficient path, drastically reducing load time and improving responsiveness.

Are CDNs Valuable for Video Streaming?

Yes, CDN video streaming can accelerate the delivery of media files in a more secure and reliable environment. In addition to lag free viewing experiences, CDNs also ensure the asset’s availability at all times, even during huge demand spikes.

Can a CDN Help Expand Online Presence into Global Markets?

Yes, but not all CDNs are capable of offering a solution that can meet your specific objectives. It depends on which regions/markets around the world are being targeted and how much traffic is being received from those regions. Larger global CDNs can provide the means of quickly and cost effectively reaching a global audience due to its vast network and reliability. Smaller CDNs may have limited access outside of its home region and have no presence in hard to reach markets such as China, Russia, India etc…

Are CDNs Effective for Mobile Acceleration?

“In 2013, global mobile data traffic grew more than 81 percent, year over year, to 1.5 exabytes per month,” according to Cisco’s “Visual Networking Index.” As smartphone usage and data traffic increases, companies need to keep the mobile experience in mind. Mobile CDNs enhance the experience with Radio Access Network (RAN) acceleration by taking the following steps:

Reducing mobile data traffic (without changing content) through text compression

Reducing excessive progressive downloading of video content through video pacing

Using TCP acceleration which is tuned to fit the mobile user’s networks environment

Will Using a CDN Improve my Site/Network’s Security?

CDNs continuously monitor, improve, and test their networks, infrastructure and services to meet strict security regulations. From HIPAA to PHI to PCI standards, content delivery networks take the steps needed to keep delivery compliant to these strict regulations and protect critical data. Some CDNs also offer cloud solutions for protection against DDoS attacks and other security threats.

How Much Time and Resources are Needed to Successfully Implement a CDN?

Depending on each site/application’s requirements, CDNs are typically easy to install and simple to deploy. CDNs are pre-configured to meet general web performance needs and can be customized for specific delivery and performance requirements.

The cost of CDN services can vary depending on bandwidth, performance, network size, security, target regions and various integrated features.

How can a CDN Increase Revenue?

As we’ve highlighted in previous posts, time is money on today’s e-business environment. As a brand’s online presence grows on a global scale, so too should the effort to ensure an optimized, user-friendly web experience. If download speeds and load times are slower than expected, e-businesses will lose customers and revenue. No matter how great the offers are, most users will not wait more than 3 seconds for the site to fully load. Through reliable and secured accelerated web content delivery, CDNs can help drastically reduce load times and maximize the potential for conversions.

I hope these questions (and the accompanying answers) provided some useful insights for better understanding why a CDN may or may not make sense for your needs. If you are considering leveraging the services of a CDN as part of your strategy, here is a list of considerations that may help with your evaluation process.

CDNetworks Products

Web AccelerationContent AccelerationChina AccelerationRussia AccelerationDynamic Web AccelerationDynamic Network AccelerationMedia AccelerationMobile CDN

Cloud ServicesCloud DNSCloud StorageCloud Load BalancerCloud Portal

Cloud SecurityWeb Application FirewallDDoS protectionEnterprise Application Security

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