> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.link11.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.link11.com/product-guides/secure-cdn/introduction.md).

# Introduction

The Link11 Content Delivery Network (CDN) service is a reverse proxy that balances server traffic and reduces latency for customers.

Its DNS-based global load balancing provides clients (who are accessing the customer's web application) with the closest CDN Node. The CDN Node caches static resources from the origin, and forwards them from nodes closest to the requesting clients. This allows faster round-trip times and results in significantly faster page-loading times.

Other highlights include:

* A global network of PoPs (see below) for rapid responses to clients
* Load balancing to multiple origins
* Inherent hardening against DDoS attacks
* In-depth dashboard analytics and optional Access Logs
* Redirection of http traffic to https (configurable separately for each CDN instance)
* Auto-renewing TLS certificates (when used with Link11 Secure DNS)
* IP-based public access restrictions via ACLs (Access Control Lists)
* Granular configuration of caching scope and behavior, including cache key structure definition and when to obey or ignore origin server cache settings
* Resource specifications according to path/location or file extension
* Flexible architectural options:
  * [Split-server configuration](https://docs.link11.com/product-guides/secure-cdn/pages/DCkHfpfC0OR6a6BnURjY#whatistrafficflowwithlink11products-1.splitserversfordynamicandstaticcontent), with separate origins for static content and dynamic content (providing lower latency to clients)
  * [Unified configuration](https://docs.link11.com/product-guides/secure-cdn/pages/DCkHfpfC0OR6a6BnURjY#whatistrafficflowwithlink11products-2.smallerbackendwithoutsplitcontent), with all content served from the same origin(s) (providing a simpler architecture for customers)

***

### Our Global Network <a href="#securecdn-ourglobalnetwork" id="securecdn-ourglobalnetwork"></a>

Link 11's CDN is a global server network containing 14 Link11 service clusters and additional nodes in premium data centers (adding up to 43+ PoPs around the world).

<figure><img src="/files/9WzrIzRw9PwFwdqun2Mq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>