Azure CDN Integration

Azure Content Delivery Network (CDN) is used to deliver high bandwidth web like static and dynamic web content web-like images, javascript , css files , videos by caching the content to some specific places around the globe. This results in faster delivery of content and reduces the loading time .

What are the Key Features and Benefits of Integrating Azure CDN ?

1. Global Reach- Azure CDN has a large network of edge servers in more than 90 cities globally which ensure that are web content is delivered quickly and efficiently to the users.
2. High Performance- Azure uses advanced caching and optimization techniques which reduce the delivery speed of our content, reduce the loading time, and enhances the overall user experience.
3. Scalability- Azure CDN is designed to handle a large volume of traffic.
4. Security- It has several security features like HTTPS and access control which will help to protect our content from cyber attacks.
5. Cost Effective- Azure CDN charges you only for the bandwidth and storage we use which makes it cost effective.

How does Azure CDN enhance performance and user experience?

1. Reduced Latency: By caching content from the edge server nearest to the user with this way Azure CDN is able to deliver content over long distances and this reduces latency.
2. Faster Page Loads: It accelerates the delivery of the web content resulting in faster page loads.
3. Improved Availability: Azure CDN is highly scalable and can handle large traffic easily, hence, it always ensures the availability of the web content.
4. Enhanced Security: Azure CDN uses features like HTTPS and access control to prevent our content from unauthorized access.
5. Better User Engagement: By providing faster loading time, content delivery services and a reliable user experience Azure CDN aims to improve user engagement.

Step-by-Step Process for Azure CDN Integration

Creating a Storage Account

Step 1: Login into your Microsoft Azure portal

• After logging into the portal you will plan to distribute our data through Blob storage

Step 2: Click on Storage > Storage accounts

Step 3: Click on Add to create a new Storage account in which we will create a Blob

Step 4: Create a new Storage Account

• Resource Group: AzureClass
• Storage Account Name: <Write any name>
• Performance: Standard
• Account Kind: Storage(general purpose v1)
• Replication: Local redundant storage(LRS)

Step 5: Click on Next:Networking,Click on Next:Advanced,Click on Next:Tags and Click on Next: Review+Create

• Our Storage Account will be created.

Step 6: Check if the Storage Account is created and Open the Storage Account then Click on Containers

Creating a New Container in the Storage Account

Step 1: Click on container to create a new container.

Step 2: Click on the container created and Upload Blob

• Select the file that you want to share and click on upload.

Configuring Azure CDN with Azure services (e.g., Azure Blob Storage, Web Apps)

Step 1: Click on All Services in the top left corner

Step 2: Click on Networking>CDN Profile

Step 3: Click on Add and create a CDN profile

• Name: <Write any name>
• Resource Group: AzureClass
• Pricing Tier: Standard Microsoft (you can choose on the basis of their services)
• Endpoint: I'll be creating a endpoint later so DO NOT tick mark.

Wait for a few minutes and our CDN profile will be validated and created.

Step 4: Click on endpoint

• Name: <Write Any Name>
• Origin type: Storage (choose the origin in which your data is saved)
• Origin hostname: <Name of the Data Storage Created in which Blob is present>
• Origin path: /<name of the container>/<name of the file uploaded> example- /test/aws.png

Click on Add and our endpoint will be created.

Step 5: Click on the created Endpoint.

Step 6: Copy Origin hostname URL

• Paste the copied url in a browser and add the origin path behind the url
• Example- <copied url>/test/aws.png

Integrating Azure CDN with third-party applications and services

Step 1: Follow the steps written above in "Step-by-Step Process for Azure CDN Integration" till you create a CDN Profile.

Step 2: Click on CDN Profile created.

Step 3: Click on Endpoint.

Step 4: Fill in the details.

• Name: <Write Any Name>
• Origin type: Custom Origin ( It allows us to configure a specific external server as our origin server, with the help of this Azure CDN allows us to deliver content hosted on a third-party platform)
• Origin hostname: <Name of the Data Storage Created in which Blob is present>
• Origin path: /<name of the container>/<name of the file uploaded> example- /test/aws.png
• Click on Add and our endpoint will be created.