Content Distribution Network (CDN)

 
A content distribution network (also called a content delivery network) uses multiple high-performance servers strategically located to serve high-availability content to users. A well-designed CDN ensures that users receive their desired content, while reducing bandwidth expenses and speeding page-loading times.

AeroCom’s providers offer CDN platforms that help organizations serve web objects such as graphics, text and scripts, as well as downloadable files including streaming media, documents and software, and also applications for e-commerce and company portals, which lowers operating costs and increases customer satisfaction.

Content “on the cloud” is fast and easy to deliver

Organizations rely on cloud-based CDNs to improve content delivery, reduce burdens on in-house infrastructure, and generate additional revenues from subscribers, as well as to decrease vulnerability to server attacks or natural disasters. Since content may exist on multiple, geographically-separated servers, user requests for CDN-hosted web sites are routed to the optimal server according to cost, availability and other parameters set by IT decision-makers.

The benefits of a content distribution network

A CDN consists of multiple nodes deployed throughout the “cloud,” and usually relies on multiple backbones. AeroCom works with the top CDN solution providers to create CDNs for IT organizations that may require thousands of remote servers and nodes, to create a network that ensures content availability worldwide. Traffic is optimized according to cost and speed of service. Users’ requests for content are algorithmically directed through the quickest pathway, chosen for the fewest “hops” and the best availability to serve content.

On the Internet, a straight line isn’t always the shortest distance between two points

Legacy networks were designed based on the principle of “end-to-end” delivery. That is, data flows through the network in the straightest possible line, while the time-consuming tasks of examining data and finding its final recipient are handled at the endpoints of the network– the hosts and clients. Yet, when traffic surges or hardware glitches arise, legacy protocols may fail, resulting in lengthy server delays and frustrated users.

AeroCom’s CDN carriers use industry-leading technology and proprietary algorithms to boost and optimize content-delivery performance. The CDN ensures availability of an organization’s web pages regardless of the user’s geographic location, and provides lightning-fast downloads for bandwidth-intensive content such as videos. The content distribution network combines and enhances several functions:

Web caching

Web caches are used to store often-requested content on servers, and the CDN maximizes their usefulness. These caches help reduce the bandwidth and server loads needed to deliver content, and speed the client server response time for retrieving and delivering content to the user.

Server load balancing

The CDNs offered by AeroCom’s providers utilize a full range of load-balancing techniques, including global load balancing and hardware-based switching, to guarantee fast, uniform delivery of content worldwide. Traffic loads are intelligently delivered through the quickest routes, and the content loads from delayed or failed servers are redistributed instantly.

Faster downloads, better protection

By offloading traffic from the content provider’s in-house servers, a CDN reduces the burden on the organization’s own infrastructure and guarantees faster downloads for all users. And, the cloud-hosted CDN shields the organization against denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, since the CDN relies on widely-distributed hardware that cannot be easily overwhelmed, even by a huge, sustained volume of Internet traffic.

The best CDN

AeroCom works closely with the leading cloud-based content distribution networks, and as a result, we are able to provide geographic coverage all over the U.S. As a leading Windows Partner, we deploy CDNs that work seamlessly with applications and platforms by Microsoft and others, including Windows Azure and Amazon CloudFront.

Best of all, AeroCom’s partners build comprehensive communications solutions that include CDNs, T3 voice communications, enterprise hosted call centers, and more. We have the brainpower and technology to help solve content-delivery issues and help you better serve your customers and network users. To learn more, contact AeroCom today.