An Overview of Content Delivery Service, Delivery Networks
What is content delivery? On the Internet, a content delivery network can be defined as series of geographically dispersed servers where copied content is stored and accessed by end users throughout the world. When the content is requested, content delivery automatically directs the end user to the closest server to the end user. Content delivery service allows for faster load speeds for content such as web objects, mobile media, applications, software, gaming and audio and video streaming including HD streaming. The three main content delivery approaches include HTTP redirection, IP redirection and DNS redirection.
HTTP Content Delivery Services
The most common content delivery service includes the placement of cache servers at major Internet access points around the world. This approach to content delivery utilizes special routing codes which redirects a webpage (HTTP) to the closest server. When the end user clicks on the URL, the content delivery network automatically re-routes the end user away from the originating server to a cache server closer to the user. The cache server within the content delivery network determines what content exists in the cache and retrieves any non-cached content from the originating server. All new content retrieved is cached locally. This type of content delivery is typically transparent to the end user.
Content Delivery Streaming Services
The streaming of multimedia including audio, video and flash is another common purpose served by content delivery services. With streaming content delivery, end users are able to watch and listen in real time within seconds. Content delivery streaming services offer live and on-demand services which also allow end users to jump to any future point in the video or audio content. This type of content delivery service can be used to support feature films, webcasts, HD audio and video and more. Streaming services with content delivery offer capacity of 3 terabits per second or more. With content delivery streaming services you can store on-demand content on your own origin servers or on the providers’ storage infrastructure.
Mobile Content Delivery Services
Content delivery services are also available to reach mobile devices around the world with the same lightening fast speeds and reliability. Content delivery for mobile devices delivers the correct content for the device with mobile delivery intelligence. This is completed through video adaption, device detection and optimized delivery though a universal URL. Mobile content delivery technologies continue to advance as the demand for mobile multimedia expands rapidly.
Content Delivery Analytic Services
There are reporting and analytics tool available with the majority of content delivery services to analyze your operations. These content delivery tools track bandwidth consumption, users and the relative popularity of content. Content delivery analytic tools include geo-reporting, improved file tracking and other measurements. This allows you to reduce costs by gaining visibility to your overall operations and activities.
Interested in learning more about content delivery services, content delivery networks and content delivery providers? GlobalQuotes™ can help align you with the right content delivery service to meet your needs today and in the future. We specialize in the latest networking technologies and represent all of the major content delivery providers worldwide. Contact us today to speak with a content delivery sales consultant. Call toll free (877) 708-8900 today and start saving on content delivery.
