What Is a CDN? Definition & Guide

A CDN (Content Delivery Network) is a network of servers spread around the world that store copies of a site's content and serve them from the point closest to the user, reducing load times.

How a CDN works

Without a CDN, every user downloads the site from the origin server, wherever it is: those far away wait longer. With a CDN, images, styles and scripts are copied (into cache) on geographically spread servers; the user receives data from the nearest node. The DNS routes the request to the optimal server.

Benefits of a CDN

• Speed: faster loads wherever the user is.
• Reliability: if one node goes down, another responds.
• Security: many CDNs filter DDoS attacks and malicious traffic.

When you need a CDN

A CDN is useful for sites with an international audience, many images or high traffic, and it lightens the origin hosting. For a small local site the impact is smaller but still positive on speed and security. In our hosting the CDN is included and pre-configured.

Related terms: CacheDNSHosting

Frequently asked questions