What is a CDN? A CDN stands for a content delivery network and it is used to deliver content faster than traditional means. When you surf the web or use streaming services, traditionally the website or content you request is pulled from a server. A server is essentially a computer that hosts all the content such as videos, websites, music, etc. Based on your location, your content is usually coming from the closest server available.
CDN The Middle Man
Depending on where you are located, the server your computer may be pulling from could be quite a far distance from you. This will slow down the loading of your content. Now, this is where the magic of the CDN comes into play. Instead of your computer or device pulling all the content from the main server, the CDN will deliver the content for you. Also, the CDN will cache all the content from your server which provides even faster delivery.
Now you may ask what is cache? The cache is a stored version of your content from the main server. Content such as webpages, images, files, and videos are all cached to the CDN. Now you may wonder what happens if the content is changed or edited? The Content Delivery Network checks with the main server to make sure all the content is up to date before delivering it to the user. So by caching the content it makes load times and delivery much faster than the traditional route.
Examples Of Content Delivery Services
When it comes to these types of services there are many options to choose from but one of the most popular is Cloudflare. What sets Cloudflare apart from the others is it offers a free tier as well as a paid. In addition, it is a great way to implement SSL certificates as well. At Johnston Howse, we use CDNs to help deliver fast and reliable content to our users. If you would like to learn more or see what Jonhston Howse can do for you, contact us today!