CDN vs Web-site Backup
Although CDN (content delivery networks) have been around for years, there is still a misconception that they provide web-site backup. Why customers need backup is to have web-site 24/7 available. To make a backup copy, it is required to duplicate the primary server and database, apps, content management system and the rest of its content. The majority of web hosting companies provide offline web-site backup, but not for a long time.
In fact, in case of web server failure, CDN service can help users see some pages (fully or partially). However, if the origin server is down, CDN network will not show the whole site, or allow full functions.
CDN hosting can be used as a backup solution, if bad server availability was caused by:
High traffic on the server
Thanks to caching, CDN servers may reduce the load on the origin server by up to 90% - it depends on the percentage of static cacheable content. Static content means objects that are not changed, and stay the same every time a user accesses a web-site (images, Javascript, CSS, font, logo, etc.). Thus, when a visitor opens your web-site, static content will be delivered from the nearest edge server instead of the origin server. That helps to offload the origin server, reducing bandwidth and CPU power usage.
If you have several servers, but can’t use on premise load balancer, because they are spread over several geographical locations, you can order a cloud load balancing service, as well. Such service will equally spread the traffic between the servers analyzing traffic percentage and geographic locations. Besides, it may automatically direct users to other servers when one is down.
This is the most widespread method used by hackers to have the server down or make it work too slowly. CDN has an additional layer of protection with firewall, and it can be very effective with special DDoS attack mitigation options. Make sure that your CDN company provides protection against DDoS attacks on different levels.
As a rule, most attacks of web applications and servers are performed to steal information, but may also be done to disrupt a web-site. To prevent web application attacks, CDN providers offer firewall together with their CDN services.
If you need a web-site backup and failover solution, these methods may help, but they will not address the root of problems. However, having these options will make you and your customers feel safer.
In fact, in case of web server failure, CDN service can help users see some pages (fully or partially). However, if the origin server is down, CDN network will not show the whole site, or allow full functions.
When a CDN can replace backup?
CDN hosting can be used as a backup solution, if bad server availability was caused by:
- - High amount of traffic
- - DDoS attacks
- - Server has been hacked
High traffic on the server
Thanks to caching, CDN servers may reduce the load on the origin server by up to 90% - it depends on the percentage of static cacheable content. Static content means objects that are not changed, and stay the same every time a user accesses a web-site (images, Javascript, CSS, font, logo, etc.). Thus, when a visitor opens your web-site, static content will be delivered from the nearest edge server instead of the origin server. That helps to offload the origin server, reducing bandwidth and CPU power usage.
If you have several servers, but can’t use on premise load balancer, because they are spread over several geographical locations, you can order a cloud load balancing service, as well. Such service will equally spread the traffic between the servers analyzing traffic percentage and geographic locations. Besides, it may automatically direct users to other servers when one is down.
DDoS attacks
This is the most widespread method used by hackers to have the server down or make it work too slowly. CDN has an additional layer of protection with firewall, and it can be very effective with special DDoS attack mitigation options. Make sure that your CDN company provides protection against DDoS attacks on different levels.
Server being hacked
As a rule, most attacks of web applications and servers are performed to steal information, but may also be done to disrupt a web-site. To prevent web application attacks, CDN providers offer firewall together with their CDN services.
If you need a web-site backup and failover solution, these methods may help, but they will not address the root of problems. However, having these options will make you and your customers feel safer.
