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How does CDN achieve global content distribution?

Created on 2025-07-08 14:12:35
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CDN (Content Delivery Network) achieves global content distribution by caching static and dynamic content on a distributed network of edge servers located in multiple geographic regions. When a user requests content, the CDN directs the request to the nearest edge server, reducing latency and improving load times.

How it works:

  1. Origin Server: The original content is stored on the origin server (e.g., a website's host).
  2. Edge Servers: CDN providers deploy servers in various data centers worldwide. These edge servers cache copies of the content.
  3. DNS Routing: When a user requests content, the CDN uses intelligent DNS routing to direct the request to the closest edge server.
  4. Caching & Delivery: If the content is cached on the edge server, it is delivered immediately. If not, the edge server fetches it from the origin server, caches it, and then delivers it to the user.

Example:
A video streaming platform hosts its content in the U.S. Without a CDN, users in Asia would experience high latency. With a CDN, cached video segments are stored on edge servers in Asia, allowing users to stream content with minimal delay.

Tencent Cloud Solution:
Tencent Cloud CDN accelerates content delivery by leveraging a vast global network of edge nodes. It supports static and dynamic content acceleration, HTTPS encryption, and intelligent routing to ensure optimal performance.