A Content Delivery Network (CDN) helps optimize network latency by distributing content across a globally distributed network of servers, known as edge nodes. Instead of users accessing content directly from the origin server, which may be located far away, the CDN serves the content from the nearest edge node to the user. This reduces the physical distance data must travel, minimizing delays caused by network congestion and long-distance transmission.
For example, if a website hosted in the United States is accessed by a user in Asia, the CDN will cache the website's static assets (like images, videos, and JavaScript files) on its edge servers located in Asia. When the user requests the website, the content is delivered from the nearby Asian edge node instead of the distant U.S. origin server, resulting in faster load times and lower latency.
In cloud computing, CDNs are often integrated with cloud services to enhance performance. For instance, Tencent Cloud's CDN service can be used to accelerate the delivery of static and dynamic content for applications hosted on Tencent Cloud, ensuring low-latency access for users worldwide. It also supports advanced features like intelligent routing, HTTPS acceleration, and security protection to further optimize network performance.