Powering dApps: The Importance of a Decentralized CDN (Part 1)
This is the first installment of a four-part blog series. This first post will examine the current status of web application infrastructure and introduce the idea of decentralized content delivery networks. The second post will explore the other components of web infrastructure, focusing on understanding the problem of censorship by centralized companies. The third post will delve deeper into this issue. Finally, in the fourth and final post, we will highlight how Media Network is revolutionizing the space with its marketplace for web services and CDN.
A web application is a software accessible through the internet on a web browser, performing tasks and providing a user-friendly interface. Like a magician behind the scenes, it has several layers working together to deliver an efficient and seamless experience for the user. The main layers are:
- Client: Contains the user interface and is responsible for presenting the application to the user through a web browser. It comprises HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and provides the visual and interactive components of the application.
- Content Delivery Network (CDN): they deliver the application’s content to the user. A CDN acts as a cache for frequently accessed resources and helps distribute the load across multiple servers to improve performance and reduce downtime.
- Storage: This layer handles the storage of the data used by the application. It may include databases, cloud storage, and other storage solutions to ensure that data is persistently stored and easily accessible.
- Back-end: This layer runs the application’s server-side code and implements the application’s logic. It communicates with the client layer to respond to user requests, accesses the storage layer to retrieve data, and handles server-side tasks such as security, authentication, and performance optimization.
Each of these layers plays a crucial role in the overall functioning of a web application. They must be designed and implemented to enable efficient communication and collaboration between the layers.
This article will explore Content Delivery Networks, how they operate, and how a decentralized alternative can revolutionize the industry.
Understanding Content Delivery Networks: A Beginner’s Guide
What is a CDN?
A CDN is a network of servers located in multiple data centers worldwide, designed to deliver content such as web pages, images, videos, and other digital assets to users as quickly as possible.
In simpler terms, a CDN is responsible for the last-mile delivery of internet content. To provide an illustration, when a user requests an image file, such as a “.jpg,” from their web browser, they submit a request to the CDN. The CDN subsequently locates the closest node to the user’s location and transmits the requested image file. This leads to faster download and response times for the user.
What are the benefits of a CDN?
A CDN’s main goal is to enhance website performance and reduce the burden on the origin server, making it less susceptible to cyber-attacks. CDNs distribute a website’s content across multiple servers in different locations, making it harder for hackers to attack.
CDNs also offer protection against DoS attacks, encryption, SSL certification, and other security features to safeguard the website and users from cyber threats.
How does a decentralized CDN (dCDN) alternative work?
In April 2021, the Media Foundation launched Media Network Legacy, a dCDN that operates on a blockchain-based system. This means that users no longer have to worry about the hassle of fiat conversion or providing personal information for KYC verification. All they need is a wallet with tokens, and they can access the service with ease and security.
One of the key features of the Legacy is its multi-sig approach, which gives developers, projects, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) peace of mind knowing that their resources are being secured with multiple wallets involved.
Try it now, or check our Docs to learn more.
As a logical next step in its evolution, we introduced a decentralized marketplace for web services powered by the MEDIA token. The protocol allows for seamless transactions between clients and service providers with no restrictions or limitations. This opens up a whole new world of opportunity and scalability for the future of the web.
The marketplace is fueled by smart contracts ensuring a secure environment for clients and providers. They can easily buy and sell CDN services through a unified interface, eliminating the need for intermediaries. Clients have the flexibility to connect with multiple service providers, while providers can increase their revenue by making their services available to the market.
Media Network offers a fresh and innovative approach to the online world, bringing numerous unique advantages that enhance scalability and efficiency in a way never before seen.
This is all made possible through the utilization of community-driven resources and technologies, providing a platform that offers unprecedented levels of growth and optimization.
Whether you’re a business, content creator, or individual, the marketplace is designed to provide a new level of power and flexibility to your online endeavors, offering new and exciting opportunities to connect, grow, and succeed in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
About Media Network
Media Network is a blockchain-agnostic CDN Marketplace. We’ve created a decentralized bandwidth market that enables anyone to hire or provide resources from the network as the demand for last-mile content delivery shifts.
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