What Is Content Delivery Network (CDN)?

Content Delivery Network is also known as Content Distribution Network, both sharing the same acronym of CDN. CDNs are essentially a network of connected servers that are distributed across different geographical locations. The size of the network may range from a few servers distributed to a small region to many servers that a distributed to many points-of-presence on earth. Just like every system developed by man, optimization for internet connection is critical. This is where content delivery network come in. The main function of the content delivery network is to optimize the access to content on the internet.

Mechanics of Content Delivery Network

This system works by having many servers that are geographically distributed while at the same time are connected. The network works by analyzing the location from which the content was requested and the server in which the web content is being held. Thereafter the optimization software chooses the server that is nearest to the user to deliver the web content. This system effectively reduces the distance traveled by the content as well as the number of hops a data packet has to go through before it is delivered.

Factors that are considered in development of the optimization software include cost of delivery of the web content, speed of delivery to the user, location of the user, and availability of the content on the servers.

Types of Optimization in Content Delivery Network

These kinds of systems were developed initially to improve the users experience through improvement on the delivery time of the web content requested. However, over time the optimization software were greatly improved to the point that other optimization operations can be carried out. These include; Optimization for coast and optimization for performance.

In Content Delivery Network (CDN) developed for optimization for cost, location that provides the least cost is chosen. On the other hand, when optimizing for performance, locations with the shortest distance are chosen mainly because they offer the least number of hops a packet of data has to go through before reaching the end user. Other factors such as the least number of seconds to the client’s device and the highest performing server historically may be chosen to optimize performance.

Advantages of Content Delivery Network

Implementation of content delivery new has some clear advantages. Broadly they include optimization of performances and reduced running cost of the servers. An in-depth look into the advantages of this technology reveals that latency, jitters and time-outs are significantly reduced. This has an effect of improved and better user experience.

CDN (Content Delivery Network) also introduce redundancy to the system. An instance where one server develops problems and cannot be used does not result to a full system failure. Other servers can be used to access web content without noticing the failure of that one server.

It also helps in bandwidth optimization. Companies are not necessitated to purchase expensive bandwidth to cater for increased traffic. This is where cost optimization takes place.

Uses of Content Delivery Networks

This system has been deployed by many internet companies such as Microsoft and Amazon to provide services. Internet companies use the system to provide web content such as streaming music and videos, gaming, dynamic and static content.