Software → System Design
CDN
A geographically distributed network that caches and serves content close to users.
Motivation
A CDN serves content from locations closer to users. It solves the problem of reducing latency and origin load for globally distributed users.
Mental model
A CDN is a distributed cache at the edge of the network.
Where it fits
CDN belongs to the Software track, inside System Design. It connects to nearby concepts through the graph relationships on this page and in the graph explorer.
Common mistakes
- Caching personalized content incorrectly.
- Forgetting invalidation strategy.
- Assuming a CDN fixes slow dynamic backends.
Related concepts
Use the metadata panel or return to the graph to explore concepts that this one requires or relates to.