Your Guide to Multi-CDN Architecture for Video Streaming
Content distribution networks (CDNs) have become crucial for the success of modern streaming platforms. A CDN comprises a network of geographically distributed data centers or edge servers that are connected to an origin server. To dive deeper, read our complete guide to video content management systems.
It ensures fast and seamless delivery of video content to end-users, irrespective of their device and location. Additionally, CDN video hosting helps reduce buffering and latency, thus creating an enhanced viewing experience. It isn’t surprising that the global CDN market is projected to reach $49.16 billion by 2027 from $11.76 billion in 2020.
But a single CDN provider often doesn’t fulfill the needs of large enterprises and broadcasters. That’s where multi-CDN architecture steps into the picture.
In this blog, we’ll delve deeper into multi-CDN architecture and help you understand whether it’s the right fit for you.
Let’s jump right in.
What is Multi-CDN?
Simply put, multi-CDN architecture is a setup that combines the infrastructure of different CDN providers, such as Akamai, Cloudflare, Edgio, and others.
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It consolidates the resources of individual CDN providers and makes them accessible to broadcasters. A multi-CDN takes the benefits of a traditional CDN to greater heights by improving its reach and reliability.
The implementation of multi-CDN architecture requires you to identify different CDN providers and configure each network with your website. You even need to define various switching mechanisms, such as:
- DNS-based switching
- HTTP redirect-based switching
- Client-side midstream switching
- Manifest rewrite on-the-fly
Why Use Multi-CDN Architecture?
Multi-CDN offers various benefits to broadcasters. These include:
Improved Reliability
Multi-CDN eliminates your need to depend on a single origin server. Even if a CDN streaming server fails due to traffic congestion or network crashes, end-users can continue to access your content.
That’s because their requests are relayed to other origin servers and data centers in the network. It makes multi-CDN an ideal solution for livestreaming.
Strengthened Security
Multi-CDN ensures that security threats, such as DDoS attacks, don’t disrupt access to your content.
If one of the CDNs fails to serve users’ requests, other CDN providers can immediately take over. It protects your content assets and lets end users enjoy a seamless viewing experience despite security breaches.
Enhanced Reach
Every CDN provider offers limited geographic coverage. They only have edge servers located in specific parts of the world. It becomes a significant problem when you want to cater to a global audience.
Multi-CDN architecture helps you overcome this challenge by combining the geographic reach of different CDN providers. Strategically choosing your CDN providers will help you deliver your content to users in any location.
Top-Notch User Experience
The improved reach, reliability, and security of a multi-CDN like Zype’s Content Delivery service ensure the delivery of high-quality video content at lightning-fast speeds.
Additionally, it helps your streaming platform deal with cyberattacks, network congestion, and sudden traffic spikes. That, in turn, lets you curate a frictionless user experience, thus improving audience engagement and revenue.
When Should You Use Multi-CDN?
Now that you’ve realized the benefits of multi-CDN video hosting, you must be eager to start using it. But before you take the plunge, it’s important to understand whether it fits your needs.
Multi-CDN architecture is ideal for larger enterprises and broadcasters who want to reach a global audience. It’s also suitable for smaller broadcasters who plan to scale their reach in the future. The low latency and impressive reliability make it the best CDN livestreaming option too.
So, you should use multi-CDN if you are planning to:
- Broadcast virtual events in real-time
- Livestream video content to your audience
- Target a global audience
- Leveraging an enterprise video content management system
Final Thoughts on Multi-CDN Architecture
Multi-CDN architecture is essential for the growth of modern streaming platforms with a global audience.
It offers various benefits, including reliability, redundancy, scalability, and security.
Ready to take your streaming platform of our to newer levels with multi-CDN? Get in touch with us to schedule a demo.