Content Delivery Network (CDN)

A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a distributed network of servers strategically placed across various geographical locations. Its primary purpose is to deliver web content, such as images, videos, scripts, and other static files, to end-users with high performance and availability.

CDNs work by caching content in multiple edge servers, which are closer to the end-users. When a user requests a specific file, the CDN serves it from the nearest edge server, reducing latency and improving the overall user experience.

CDNs also help in load balancing by distributing traffic across multiple servers, preventing any single server from becoming overwhelmed. This ensures that websites and applications can handle high volumes of traffic without experiencing performance issues.

Furthermore, CDNs provide additional security benefits by mitigating Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks and protecting against other malicious activities. By routing traffic through their network, CDNs can identify and filter out potentially harmful requests, improving the overall security posture of websites and applications.

In conclusion, CDNs play a crucial role in enhancing website performance, scalability, and security. By leveraging a network of geographically distributed servers, CDNs optimize content delivery, reduce latency, and improve the user experience.