How CDNs Cache Content
Explore the mechanisms by which CDNs cache static and dynamic content, including edge server caching and origin pull.
CDN Caching: The Basics
Welcome! In this lesson, we'll dive into how Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) work their magic to make your web content load super fast.
At its core, CDN caching is about storing copies of your website's files on servers located closer to your users. This reduces the distance data has to travel, speeding up delivery.
Static vs. Dynamic Content
CDNs typically cache two main types of content:
- Static Content: Files that don't change often, like images (JPG, PNG), videos, CSS stylesheets, and JavaScript files. These are perfect for caching!
- Dynamic Content: Content that changes frequently or is personalized for each user, such as a user's shopping cart or real-time news feeds. Caching dynamic content is trickier but possible with advanced techniques.