What is a Content Delivery Network (CDN)?

A content delivery network (CDN) is an infrastructure that helps organizations deliver static Web content, rich digital media, and everything in between, to employees, vendors, partners, and customers worldwide, in the fastest amount of time at the lowest possible cost.

Fee or subscription-based CDNs are attractive because they can increase a network's performance, scalability, and reliability. They can enhance content availability, efficiently move large files closer to end users, and help curtail travel and business training expenses by supporting e-learning applications. The CDN is a clear alternative to the often costly solution of establishing multiple points of presence to address the performance problems inherent in delivering Web-based content on a global scale.