1. Introduction
If you’re running a website or an application and haven’t yet dealt with CDN, you’ve probably faced some common issues:
Slow page loading、Slow image loading、Poor overseas access、Overloaded server
In most cases, it’s not that your server hardware is inadequate, but rather that you’re missing a key player – the CDN server.
In this article, we’ll start with the basic concepts and, from the user’s perspective, explain what a CDN does and how to get started with one.
2. What Does a CDN Server Do?
CDN stands for Content Delivery Network. To put it simply, it functions like a warehouse for shipping items, but in this case, it's about distributing your website’s content across the globe.
Normally, when a user accesses your website, all the content must be fetched from your main server. If the user is in the United States and your server is in Asia, the distance causes delays. However, with a CDN, the content is duplicated and distributed across multiple nodes around the world.
So when a user requests content, the system will automatically deliver it from the nearest CDN node.
Benefits of CDN:
Faster page loading
Faster image, JS, and CSS loading
Reduced server load
Large traffic websites, video sites, download platforms, and cross-border e-commerce sites all rely on CDN.
3. What Can Be Cached with a CDN?
Common content that CDNs typically cache includes:
Images (jpg, png, webp)
Video files
CSS / JS
Font files
Installation packages and downloadable files
In short: Any static content, including downloadable files, can be cached by CDN. Dynamic content usually requires special configuration by the user.
4. How to Deploy a CDN for Beginners?
When many beginners hear about “deploying a CDN,” their first thought is:
“How do I set this up? Isn’t having a server enough?”
If you’ve understood the content so far, using a CDN service will feel much easier. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped to use CDN without much hassle.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
4.1 Basic Concepts
CDN is an acceleration layer, not a replacement for your server or VPS.
CDN cannot function independently; it requires an existing server infrastructure to accelerate and cache content. Its primary role is to
improve speed by caching and forwarding content.
4.2 Choose the Right Node Locations
Consider the following:
Is your primary user base in your home country or overseas?
Is the traffic mainly from Asia or Europe and North America?
What is the purpose of your site? (Website, downloads, videos)
The location of CDN nodes directly impacts performance. Choose the most appropriate location based on your target audience and content type.
4.3 Choose a Suitable CDN Service Provider
Some popular CDN providers include:
Some cloud server providers like 99CDN also offer integrated CDN services.
Key factors to consider:
Node coverage
Pricing models
Support for HTTPS
Flexibility in configuration
Don’t just go for the cheapest option—ease of use and flexibility are crucial for long-term success.
4.4 Register an Account and Set Up CDN
Steps:
Register for a CDN account
Add your domain name
Provide the IP address or domain name of your main server
Set caching rules (cache static content but avoid caching dynamic data)
4.5 Switch Your Website Resources to the CDN
Here’s how:
Change the URLs of your images and static resources to those assigned by your CDN.
For example:
Original:
https://www.xxx.com/logo.pngChange to:
https://cdn.xxx.com/logo.png
You don’t need to switch everything at once. Start by migrating images first, then work your way through other static content.
4.6 Test CDN Performance and Metrics
Testing the CDN:
Test the loading speed from different regions
Check if the cache is hit
Ensure that pages are displaying correctly
Use the CDN dashboard to monitor key metrics like:
Cache hit rate
Traffic statistics
Distribution of CDN nodes
4.7 Continuous CDN Optimization
Ongoing optimization is essential. Consider:
Are any resources cached incorrectly?
Are any files being updated too frequently?
Are there any malicious traffic spikes?
5. Common Pitfalls When Using a CDN
CDN Security:
Ensure your site uses HTTPS
Don’t expose your main server’s IP address
Enable protection rules
Cost:
Be mindful of traffic billing models
For download sites, monitor the volume carefully
Regularly check your billing to avoid unexpected charges from high traffic usage
6. Conclusion
At its core, a CDN is a tool for acceleration, helping to reduce access time, save bandwidth, and lessen the load on your main server. For beginners, the key is to choose the right CDN service and configure it to match your needs. Whether you’re looking to improve site speed or enhance user experience, a CDN is definitely worth your time to explore and implement.