# CDN

Concept · [Cloud, hosting and security](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/cloud)

Also called: content delivery network, CDNs, caching, cache, cached

Content delivery network. A network of [servers](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/server) in many places that keeps copies of a site's files near visitors, so pages load faster.

**For example:** A site's images are stored once in Virginia. A CDN keeps copies in dozens of cities, and each visitor gets the images from the closest one.

## Connects to (7)

- [Edge](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/edge): Running code and storing data in many locations close to users, instead of in one distant data center, mainly so responses arrive faster.
- [Static site](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/static-site): A website made of fixed pages that look the same for every visitor.
- [Hosting](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/hosting): Renting space on a server so your site or app can be reached on the internet at all hours.
- [Cloudflare](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/cloudflare): A company that runs a global network for websites and apps.
- [Egress](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/egress): Data leaving a cloud provider's network, for example when a visitor downloads a file.
- [Vercel](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/vercel): A platform for deploying and hosting web apps.
- [Netlify](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/netlify): A hosting platform for websites and web apps.

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/cdn