What is CDN: History, Definitions, and Advantages
Faster web content is a great advantage to businesses worldwide. This will enable better reach of potential clients, and can strengthen the business presence of any company, making them formidable in their industry. That is why enterprises are getting to know what is CDN usage and how it can boost sales. They have also been acquiring CDN hosting services from CDN providers. But what are CDN providers exactly? Let’s explore CDN hosting further, and why CDN providers are becoming more in-demand especially in 21st century online enterprise management.
History
A little known fact about how CDN providers got a start is how content delivery networks were thought of as a viable tool to improve the internet experience of the then-growing population of netizens. It may even be argued that CDN history is remotely close to Internet history, as the development of CDNs, and the proliferation of CDN providers was very much aligned with how the Internet expanded.
Growing Internet Demand
The 90s saw the growth of the World Wide Web, and the developing demand for online content. The expansion of interest for Internet usage is starting to spread, and proponents of the ‘Net have to keep up.
A Specific Example
Sadly, spikes in content demand from the Web are rising. At the onset of an international crisis, the 9/11 attacks, the then netizens clamored to access news from the same websites, causing too much traffic. This instance sets a precedent to future problems. What if in-demand content become too popular for the servers at that time to handle? Will web surfers have to do with slow loading times and a hassle-ridden online experience?
A New Awareness
Internet proponents thought of means to deliver internet content faster and with better convenience, without having to replicate websites and station them nearer to far-flung netizens. The concept of a localized server that can direct and control traffic better to specific websites was formulated.
Content to Service
ISPs started to build their CDN hosting capabilities, and by 2004, more than 3000 companies have used CDN providers to improve performance. CDN hosting has also evolved from bettering access to content, such as videos and information databases, to cloud-based services such as SaaS and DRaaS.
Definitions
But then again the question remains: what is a CDN? What is CDN functionality? How does it work?
Content Delivery Network
A content delivery network (CDN) is a geographically-situated server that facilitates the transfer of data to web surfers in that area of content from your website or data hub. CDN hosting involves distribution of static data from your website to locations that is closer to people you wish to serve. In other words, CDN providers open networks that will relay the content of your business website to potential clients, wherever they may be.
Content Delivery Network
A content delivery network (CDN) is a geographically-situated server that facilitates the transfer of data to web surfers in that area of content from your website or data hub. CDN hosting involves distribution of static data from your website to locations that is closer to people you wish to serve. In other words, CDN providers open networks that will relay the content of your business website to potential clients, wherever they may be.
CDN Hosting VS Web Hosting
Isn’t CDN hosting also web hosting? While web hosting is the creation of a website, CDN hosting is the creation of remote servers that will expedite the distribution of content from your website. CDN providers will not create a website or a data hub for you. What CDN providers will do is build a network, link it to your website, and catalyze this network to bring data from your website faster and more efficiently to those who wish to access them. Instead of creating duplicate content, CDN hosting will speed up the access to existing ones.
Advantages
There are many pros as to why CDN providers have gained many clients over the years. CDN hosting proves to be a helpful endeavor both for enterprises and customers.
Improved Web Experience
CDN hosting servers are located across the globe, meaning facilitation of data is made easier wherever the web surfer is. The transfer of data is faster, and one can be assured that data are authentic, as the origin website is what is being accessed and not a “duplicated” one. Also, the load of your central server is now distributed to multiple networks by CDN providers, so the load of your company’s server is now lighter. Web experience is also improved on your company’s side of the internet.
SEO Optimization
Google awards websites that perform the best by putting them higher on searches. A criteria to be placed higher during Google searches is the performance of the website. Thanks to CDN hosting, your website can perform better by being accessed easily and by responding quickly. That’s a clear reason why you should look into CDN providers, to improve search engine optimization (SEO) performance of your company.
Costs and Profit
With CDN hosting, your website performs faster, with more reliability. No need to spend on tools, apps, or additional service to speed up website performance, or general connectivity of your company. Also, acquiring service from CDN providers means investing. With better means to serve your clients comes more profits. This is something to look forward to as you incorporate CDN hosting into company operations.
Conclusion
The development of CDNs from the early times to how CDN providers use them now show how much this technology has evolved. Looking into this internet marvel may be the answer to website access woes of your company. Hopefully, this article helped you in getting to know what is CDN functionality all about.