The Evolution of CDN: From Traditional to Edge Computing
The Content Delivery Network (CDN) has undergone three generations since its inception: traditional CDN, cloud CDN, and CDN share. Despite its advancements, the traditional CDN technology has failed to achieve a substantial cost advantage. The emergence of edge computing has changed the landscape, with corporate giants like Cisco, Intel, Huawei, ZTE, and others investing in this technology. But can the CDN transition to edge computing?
What is CDN?
A CDN is a content distribution network that enables users to access content from the nearest location on the Internet, reducing network congestion and improving response speed. A CDN is a network of edge servers that provide optimized online content distribution or transmission. These servers work together through a private global backbone network to transmit data, bypassing crowded public and Internet Service Provider (ISP) networks.
The Main Objective of CDN
The primary goal of CDN is to reduce the time required to transmit rich media content and improve Web performance. Any content on the Internet can be provided by a CDN, including images, style sheets, JavaScript files, file downloads, live streams, games, and more. In fact, most Internet traffic is transmitted through a CDN, and any Internet-connected device interacts with a CDN. This is not limited to computers but also mobile devices, smart TVs, set-top boxes, and other devices that require fast, reliable, and secure online connections.
What is Edge Computing?
Edge computing refers to the processing of data near its source, reducing the need for data to be transmitted to a central data center or cloud storage library. This architecture is designed to support mobile computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Edge computing involves distributed processing capabilities, where data is processed locally or stored in key data, and all received data is pushed to a central data center or cloud storage library.
Edge Computing and CDN: Similarities and Differences
Both edge computing and CDN have the ability to transfer data as close as possible to its source. However, the focus of CDN is on transmission capacity, while edge computing focuses on computing power. CDN nodes cache data to improve transmission capacity, whereas edge computing brings data classification closer to the source, reducing the need for data to be transmitted to the cloud.
The Need for Edge Computing
The current high-definition video, Virtual Reality (VR)/Augmented Reality (AR), big data, networking, and artificial intelligence industries require near-field computing. Edge computing can protect the large number of calculations required in these areas away from the terminal, providing low-latency services. The transition to edge computing is imperative, as the traditional CDN caching IO-intensive business-centric system cannot meet the increasing mass data storage, calculation, and interaction requirements.
CDN Expanding into Edge Computing
CDN has innate edge node attributes that make it a first-mover advantage in the edge computing market. Expanding from CDN edge computing is easier to achieve in the technology. Cisco and Reliance Jio are already using multi-access edge computing, and other companies like Ericsson, Ali Cloud, and Tencent Cloud are also investing in edge computing.
The Future of CDN Edge Computing
The future of CDN edge computing requires a lot of equipment, whether it is moving from CDN edge computing or joining edge computing concept in the original CDN system. Using CDN edge computing to enhance competitiveness is a good choice, as CDN edge computation power can be more intelligent, efficient, and stable. Edge computing prospects are expected to be more than 50% of the data required in the side edge of the network analysis, processing, and storage.
Conclusion
The evolution of CDN from traditional to edge computing is a natural progression. The CDN edge computing market is expected to grow significantly, and companies like Cisco, Intel, Huawei, ZTE, and others are investing in this technology. The future of CDN edge computing requires a lot of equipment, and using CDN edge computing to enhance competitiveness is a good choice. Edge computing prospects are expected to be more than 50% of the data required in the side edge of the network analysis, processing, and storage.