CDN | Content Delivery Network

What is a Content Delivery Network (CDN)?

A CDN is a system of servers using advanced software for organizing, storing, and streaming website content for the express purpose

of optimizing the flow of the content to end-users. It distributes the content to multiple, geographically diverse nodes and then serves

the content from whichever node is closest to the end-user, minimizing packet travel and increasing speed and efficiency. There are

two types of CDNs—virtual networks that connect end-users directly to the server and hybrid networks that combine CDNs with

peer-to-peer networks.

What are the advantages of using GoGoHost’s CDN over standard Internet content delivery?

GoGoHost’s CDN delivers content more efficiently than standard Internet content delivery, letting businesses meet the growing demand

for rich, online media that require large bandwidths.

Standard Internet delivery sends content data over general Internet routes from the host server’s location to the end-user’s location.

This takes into account neither the host server’s proximity to the end-user, nor possible traffic jams between the two. GoGoHost’s CDN,

however, moves the content from the host server to a node that is geographically closer to the end-user. This avoids potential

network congestion and decreases latency, increasing delivery speed and providing consistent and reliable file transfer times.

In addition, as a solution created specifically for content delivery, GoGoHost’s CDN includes tools that provide more content management

and delivery control, helping with content monetization.

What types of content are generally delivered using a CDN?

Content Delivery Networks are most effective in delivering rich media content—focused in three main categories: streaming, progressive

downloading, and caching. Streaming video benefits from the decreased latency. Video streamed over GoGoHost’s CDN does not require

the excessive buffering or suffer from the jitters experienced with traditional Internet content delivery; and end users can access any

portion of the video stream without waiting through long load or download times. Media downloads also experience increases in

speed and decreases in latency. GoGoHost’s CDN load balances the download route to deliver virtually any type of Internet download

to the end user, including: game downloads, new software, software upgrades, video, HD video, and audio. GoGoHost’s CDN is also the

optimal solution for delivering cached Internet content that may be static but is frequently accessed; used for companies that provide

services such as online shopping, guided tour sites, social networking sites, financial sites, hotel and travel sites, and Web hosting companies.

Who should use GoGoHost’s CDN? What kind of content is it best suited for?

Any company or individual that wants to make content available on the Internet should consider the CDN, particularly those

wanting to deliver content that requires large transfer rates, such as video. This includes a wide variety of industries, as caching,

streaming, and downloading services are a regular part of social networking, entertainment, media, gaming, software, broadcast,

e-commerce, and e-banking websites alike.

What file formats does the CDN support?

GoGoHost’s CDN Supports Adobe® Flash® and Windows® Media for streaming files. GoGoHost’s CDN also supports a wide array of

encoding formats for downloading or caching media—including Windows Media Player, Flash Media, DivX®, H.264, Move Media Player,

Microsoft Silverlight™, QuickTime™, MP3, RealSystem G2, RealPlayer®, Real Networks®, HTML, TXT, GIF, JPG, and PDF.

How much faster is the CDN compared with standard Internet content delivery?

The difference in delivery speeds between GoGoHost’s CDN and standard Internet delivery varies based upon network conditions.

The strength of the CDN lies in its ability to maintain reliable, consistent speed of delivery regardless of external network conditions.

When standard Internet delivery is at its slowest, the content delivered over the CDN will remain virtually unaffected. GoGoHost’s CDN

also creates levels of redundancy for content distribution. If a single CDN node is out, the content is simply served from another location,

thus reducing website outages and improving overall performance.

What is the difference in video performance between streaming media and progressive downloading?

With progressive downloading, video content is delivered chronologically and the end user must wait for content to be delivered

before it can be viewed. With video streaming, the end user can skip forward through video content without the need for it to first

be downloaded to the user’s computer.

What technology is behind GoGoHost’s CDN? How does it actually work?

Our CDN is powered on two levels. The underlying level is the network infrastructure—a global Internet backbone connecting various

nodes on multiple continents. This allows content to be delivered from an optimal proximity to the end-user. The second level is the

operating software which directs content between the nodes and maintains load balancing and content integrity.

What is the difference between Origin Pull and PoP Pull?

Origin Pull and PoP Pull are two different methodologies for the CDN to distribute your content. They differ in where the content is

stored and what kind of experience the first requester for that content receives.

With Origin Pull, content is stored on any Internet connected server or computing instance. The content’s location is then registered

with the CDN. When the first user requests the content, it’s pulled to the network and delivered from the closest point to that end user.

The content remains on the network for other users to access it until it’s automatically cleared 24 hours after the last demand for it.

The first requesting user has an average content delivery experience, while later users have streamlined delivery. Using Origin Pull

requires a bandwidth plan, but no storage charges are incurred.

With PoP Pull, content is uploaded to the CDN, where it is ready for delivery at all times. When any user requests the content, it is

delivered from the closest CDN node possible. All users have streamlined delivery for an exceptional user experience. Using POP Pull

requires storage and bandwidth plans.

How does the CDN determine which node to use?

Our CDN monitors an end-user’s location as well as network traffic and chooses which node will deliver the content with the

least latency. It begins by analyzing the node with closest geographic proximity to the end user. If the node’s performance will

be compromised due to hardware, bandwidth traffic, or other issues, the CDN will direct content around the point of failure

to maintain ultimate end user experience.

How many nodes does GoGoHost’s CDN use?

Our CDN currently delivers content across 21 nodes across the globe: 15 nodes in the Americas, 4 in Asia, and 2 in Europe. This

provides geographic diversity and the ability to deliver content from some of the largest Internet peering points in the world.

How reliable is GoGoHost’s CDN?

Our CDN is substantially more reliable for content delivery than standard unmonitored Internet delivery. By reducing stress on the host

server and distributing content over a network of nodes, information can be stored securely and delivered consistently. Particularly for

large file downloads or streaming media where latency can create interruptions, our CDN helps content arrive rapidly and without

jitters, excess buffering, or service interruptions.

How will it work with my current hardware and infrastructure?

Adding GoGoHost’s CDN as a service does not require any changes to your current operations. The CDN works with your existing

hardware and infrastructure to boost current network conditions.

Why should I pay for the addition of a CDN when I have lower cost infrastructure in place?

GoGoHost’s CDN helps deliver your content consistently and rapidly, leading to more profitable end-user interactions. The Internet was

not originally designed to handle today’s demanding media rich Internet content, leading to content delivery that suffers from latency,

interruptions, and failed downloads. The more reliably and faster your content is delivered, the more time end users are likely to

spend on your particular website.

Why should my company outsource the use of a CDN and not build its own infrastructure?

Using our CDN reduces your internal overhead by relying on GoGoHost’s servers designed specifically for the appropriate tasks.

Rather than building infrastructure from the ground up, you are able to obtain the same benefits by only purchasing the quantity

of service you need at any given time.

How do I begin using the CDN?

New or existing customers can easily add the CDN as a service. Our commitment is to make the entire purchase experience as simple

as possible. Once the CDN is added as a service, it is billed based upon actual bandwidth used so you have the flexibility to scale up

or down as needed without incurring any expense for unused service.