Overview

CDNetworks Content Acceleration service is designed to optimize the delivery of various types of static web content globally. It accelerates the distribution of text, images, website components (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), and downloadable files (such as mobile apps, game packages, software installers, and drivers) by leveraging edge caching and intelligent network scheduling. The service ensures content is delivered securely, quickly, and reliably to end-users worldwide.

Utilizing a globally distributed network of CDN edge servers (Points of Presence - PoPs), Content Acceleration caches content closer to users. When a user requests content, intelligent scheduling directs the request to the nearest or best-performing edge server. This significantly reduces latency and improves access speed compared to fetching content directly from the origin server.

CDNetworks operates a large-scale global network infrastructure spanning over 70 countries and regions, featuring more than 2,800 CDN PoPs and partnerships with over 200 service providers. With a total bandwidth capacity exceeding 200 Tbps, the network can handle large traffic volumes effectively. Explore the Global Network Map for more details on our network reach.

Key Features and Benefits

Content Acceleration provides end-to-end optimization for content delivery:

First Mile Optimization

• Employs strategies like origin server disaster recovery switching, sequential origin retrieval, and origin load balancing.
• Reduces the request load on your origin servers.
• Enhances origin server availability and security.

Middle Mile Optimization

• Uses advanced cache management techniques to maximize cache hit rates, minimizing the need to retrieve content from the origin.
• Leverages intelligent routing optimization within the CDN network to reduce data transmission times.
• Accelerates content delivery between the origin and the edge servers, and between edge servers.

Last Mile Optimization

• Features a dynamic intelligent scheduling system that directs user requests to the most suitable CDN edge server based on factors like geographic location, network latency, and server load.
• Ensures users consistently connect to an optimal edge server for the best possible access speed and quality.

How Content Acceleration Works

When Content Acceleration is enabled for a domain (e.g., test.cdnetworks.com), user requests for content (e.g., http://test.cdnetworks.com/browse/index.html) are processed as follows:

1. DNS Query Initiated: The end-user’s device queries its configured Local DNS server for the IP address of test.cdnetworks.com.
2. CNAME Resolution:
   • If the Local DNS has a valid cached record for test.cdnetworks.com, it proceeds to step 4.
   • If not, the Local DNS queries the authoritative DNS server for the domain.
   • The authoritative DNS is configured to return a CNAME record pointing to the CDN’s domain (e.g., *.wcdnga.com).
3. CDN Scheduling: The Local DNS resolves the CNAME record by querying the CDN’s DNS scheduling system. This system intelligently selects the optimal CDN edge server IP address based on the user’s location, network conditions, and server availability.
4. Optimal Edge Server IP Returned: The CDN scheduling system returns the selected edge server’s IP address to the Local DNS, which then forwards it to the end-user’s device.
5. Content Request: The end-user’s browser establishes a connection with the assigned CDN edge server and requests the content (/browse/index.html).
6. Cache Check: The CDN edge server checks its local cache for the requested content.
   • Cache Hit: If the content is found in the cache and is still valid, the edge server delivers it directly to the user (proceed to step 8).
   • Cache Miss: If the content is not in the cache or has expired, the edge server proceeds to step 7.
7. Origin Fetch (on Cache Miss): The CDN edge server forwards the request to the configured origin server to retrieve the content.
8. Content Delivery and Caching: The CDN edge server delivers the content (either from its cache or fetched from the origin) to the end-user. If the content was fetched from the origin, the edge server typically caches it according to the defined caching rules for future requests.

This process ensures faster content delivery and reduces the load on the origin infrastructure.

Common Use Cases

Content Acceleration is ideal for delivering static content – files that do not change frequently based on user interaction. The core technology involves caching copies of this content on CDN edge servers globally.

Image and Website Content Delivery

• Description: Efficiently distribute website assets like images (JPG, PNG, GIF), stylesheets (CSS), and scripts (JavaScript), as well as static HTML pages.
• Benefit: Ensures a fast and smooth Browse experience for website visitors by reducing page load times.

Large File Downloads

• Description: Accelerate the distribution of large files such as software installation packages, game clients and patches, mobile application (APK, IPA) files, firmware, and driver updates.
• Benefit: Addresses challenges like slow download speeds and bandwidth congestion, improving user satisfaction and download completion rates, especially during peak demand periods.