Benefits of Using a CDN

 CDN

CDN is the abbreviation for Content Delivery Network. It is a network of servers and their data centers that is distributed geographically and which works together to deliver Internet content swiftly. A CDN makes it possible to transfer quickly the assets that are required for loading Internet content, such as images, videos, javascript files, HTML pages and stylesheets. The popularity of CDNs can be gauged by the fact that a major portion of the Internet content these days is served through CDNs. Hence, it is important to configure a CDN properly as this helps to protect websites against the most common malicious attacks, such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks.

When we talk about websites, let us understand in brief how these are made accessible to us. The data of every website is stored on the server of a website hosting company. Website hosting companies are also referred to as web hosts and these provide server space, services and technologies to website owners in order to make their websites accessible over the Internet. There are various types of web hosting services, such as shared, dedicated, reseller, VPS, cloud, WordPress etc. Terms such as “Linux Dedicated Server Hosting”, “WordPress Hosting” and “Windows Dedicated Hosting” refer to various types of hosting services that are provided by web hosting companies.

Coming back to the topic of CDNs, these exist as a layer in the ecosystem of the Internet. CDN operators are paid by content owners (e-commerce vendors, media companies etc.) for the delivery of their content to their end users. A content delivery network makes payments to Internet Service Providers (ISPs), network operators and carriers.

A CDN carries out various types of content delivery services. These are software downloads, video streaming, transparent caching, web and mobile content acceleration, services to measure CDN’s performance, licensed/managed CDN, load balancing, cloud intelligence and Multi CDN switching and analytics. Moreover, CDN vendors can provide web security services through web application firewalls (WAF), WAN optimization and DDoS protection.

How do CDNs function?

A content delivery network is a collection of servers that is linked together for the purpose of delivering Internet content in the fastest, cheapest, most secure and reliable way. A CDN places servers between different networks’ exchange points, so that speed and connectivity can be improved. Different Internet providers connect at these Internet Exchange Points (IXPs). This aids in providing access to each other with regard to traffic that originates on their different networks. A CDN provider lessens the costs and transit times that result from high speed data delivery by establishing a connection with these highly interconnected locations that provide high speed.

CDNs go beyond the mere placement of servers in IXPs by making numerous optimizations on standard client/server data transfers. Data centers are placed by CDNs at strategic locations throughout the world. A CDN enhances security and is built perfectly to survive different types of failures as well as Internet congestion.

CDNs and Web hosts

A web host provides server space to store the files of websites and it also makes available the necessary technologies and services that are needed to make a website accessible over the Internet. There are many web hosts that provide different types of hosting, such as “Linux Dedicated Server Hosting”, “WordPress Hosting” and “Windows Dedicated Hosting”, as well as the other kinds of web hosting.

A CDN (content delivery network) consists of a group of servers which collaborate to deliver Internet content. Unlike web hosts, a CDN does not host content. Hence, it can’t replace a web host. However, content is cached by it at the network edge. This aids in improving website performance. When websites struggle to boost their performance through traditional hosting services, they utilize CDNs to attain this aim.  CDNs use caching for the purpose of reducing hosting bandwidth. Moreover, a CDN aids in averting interruptions in service as well as improves security which makes it a popular choice.

Benefits of CDNs

The main benefits of using a CDN are reduced bandwidth costs, improved website loading time, an increase in content availability as well as improved website security.

A major expense for any website is the bandwidth consumption cost related to website hosting. CDNs reduce the quantity of data that an origin server must provide by utilizing caching and other optimizations. This helps to reduce hosting costs for owners of websites and provides an important benefit to them. Another advantage is improved website loading time. A nearby CDN server along with other optimizations are used for distributing Internet content closer to website visitors. This results in visitors experiencing faster page loading times.

An increase in content availability is made possible by CDNs. The normal functioning of a website gets interrupted by huge quantities of traffic and hardware failures. Due to its distributed nature, a content delivery network is able to manage more traffic and withstand failures related to hardware more effectively than most origin servers. Apart from this benefit, a CDN enhances website security. This is accomplished through DDoS mitigation as well as through security certificates’ improvements and other optimizations.

Conclusion

A Content Delivery Network (CDN) provides a platform of servers with a significant level of distribution. It aids in minimizing delays with regard to loading content of web pages, which is achieved by reducing the physical distance that exists between the server and the user. A CDN makes it easy to increase website speed as well as lowers latency. Hence, it plays an important part in the fast, secure and efficient delivery of Internet content to users throughout the world.

Source: https://www.htshosting.org/index.php/knowledgebase/35/Benefits-of-Using-a-CDN.html