Term · Security & infrastructure
CDN (content delivery network)
A CDN — content delivery network — is a network of servers in many locations that store copies of your website's files (images, scripts, styles and sometimes whole pages) and deliver them to visitors from the nearest location. Your own server — the "origin" — handles only what cannot be cached.
[ 01 ]
Explained
Benefits
- Speed: shorter distance and optimised networks reduce loading time, especially for visitors far from your server.
- Capacity: traffic spikes from campaigns or seasonal peaks are absorbed by the CDN.
- Protection: many CDNs include DDoS mitigation and a web application firewall. See DDoS protection.
- Features: automatic HTTPS, image optimisation, compression, modern protocols.
What to configure
- Caching rules: long cache times for static files with versioned names; careful rules for HTML pages.
- Never cache private data: account pages, carts and personal information must bypass the cache.
- Origin protection: the origin accepts traffic only from the CDN, and its IP address stays private.
- Purging: a way to clear cached content after updates.
For websites in Azerbaijan
Visitors in Azerbaijan and abroad both benefit when content is served from nearby locations. A CDN is particularly useful for sites with international audiences, heavy images or advertising-driven traffic spikes.
[ 02 ]
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do small sites need a CDN?
Often yes — many providers offer free or low-cost plans that improve speed and security.
Can a CDN break the site?
Misconfigured caching can show outdated or wrong content. Test rules carefully, especially for pages with personal data.