Optimize your app performance by accessing the globally distributed network of points of presence offered by Microsoft Azure CDN. Such an action will help your users to access your content, no matter whether small or large files, effectively from their location. With Azure CDN (Content Delivery Network), you get a range of features to enhance your application, including HTTPS Support, Query string caching, DDoS protection, Geo-filtering, and more. So, this article covers the usage of these features to improve the performance of applications and websites.  

When Does It Make Sense That It’s Time For Optimizing App Performance With Azure CDN? 

If you are witnessing a significant drop in your audience due to poor performance of an application, caching errors, low cache hit ratio, and more, then these are the warning signs that indicate that your application needs to be optimized with Azure CDN. Here, a detailed scenario is described that will help you know when to optimize your app performance with Azure Content Delivery Network. 

Low Cache Hit Ratio 

A cache hit ratio shows the performance of the cache in handling the request, and if this ratio is low, then it may increase the load on the origin server by frequently requesting the content, and as a result, it will increase network latency.  

So, you need to analyse the Azure Content Delivery Network, especially the location part, and figure out which region has a low cache hit ratio, and if you find any one region or multiple, then optimize cache-control headers, fix query string issues, and set an alert for low cache hit ratio.  

Higher Percentage Of Failed Requests 

If you witness the highest percentage of errors, especially the failed requests, then it’s an alarm that the origin server is not working properly or there is a misconfiguration in the CDN. For instance, if there is an overload in the origin server, then the Azure Content Delivery Network will deliver an error to the users. Moreover, if you configure the CDN incorrectly, such as an incorrect hostname, a wrong WAF policy, and others, then you will get the highest percentage of errors.  

To fix such issues, you need to constantly monitor the error metrics featured in the CDN dashboard, which show latency, request counts, and more. Additionally, you should also check your Origin server and ensure that it is healthy. Also, you should inspect your CDN configuration and make sure that all the details in the WAF policy, rules, and protocol are valid.  

High Traffic 

It has been observed that heavy traffic and performance are related to each other, and if the CDN is not configured properly or the origin server is not handled effectively for overload, then there will be a drop in the performance of an application.  

So, in this case, you need to handle the content effectively and ensure that it is well-optimized. If you optimize CDN in a proper manner, then it will reduce almost 90% of the load from the origin server as CDN PoPs manage the global traffic smoothly. 

Most Efficient Ways For Optimizing App Performance In Azure CDN 

The primary function of Azure Content Delivery Network is to reduce latency and distribute loads while delivering content to users. To improve your app performance, you need to apply certain strategies that operate in the background of a CDN. For effective results, some of these strategies are listed below that you can implement. 

CDN Caching 

You might be familiar with the word caching during web browsing, where the browser stores static data locally, intending to reduce the burden on the server. If your application has worldwide users, and to improve its performance, CDN caching will play a crucial role by storing the data locally and thus reducing network latency.  

Here, you need to understand the process for configuring CDN caching so that you can improve the performance of your application. 

To make your application deliver faster content, you need to configure the CDN for static assets, and for your convenience, the steps for the same are listed below. 

• First and foremost, you need to move to the Endpoint section of the Azure CDN that you have created.  

• However, if you are new to this Azure world, then opt for the Microsoft Azure hosting service, move to the Azure portal, create a CDN profile, and then create an endpoint by selecting the type of Origin and hostname.  

• After reaching the CDN Endpoint, move to the caching rules that you can find under the settings section.  

• Now set the rules as per the requirements, such as cache duration, adjusting query strings, and more.  

Make Use Of File Compression  

The file compression feature offered by Azure Content Delivery Network enables users to access files at lightning speed and reduces their bandwidth cost. There are two ways through which you can compress files, either from the Origin side or from the CDN Edge Server.  

If you are opting for the latter section, i.e., CDN Edge Server, then you need to ensure that the file is in the MIME format, and the size is more than 1KB and less than 8MB. Additionally, the compression encoding of the file should be in the gzip and brotli formats. 

So, to enable and make changes in the compression feature of CDN, follow the key steps provided below. 

• Open the Azure portal, move to your CDN profile, and select your Endpoint. 

• At the left end of the page, you will get a range of options; click on the settings to expand the menu and further click on the compression icon. 

• In the compression page, you need to toggle the button to the ON mode and further make changes as per your application requirements, which are listed in the configuration part of the compression feature. 

• Once you are done with the configuration part, click on the Save button.      

Integrate CDN With Azure Services (WAF, Blob Services, Web Apps) 

There is a range of Azure CDN benefits, and one such is the integration of Azure services with Azure CDN, which will help your users to seamlessly access your application, and a few such Azure services are listed below. 

Azure Blob Storage 

For improving an app’s performance with Azure CDN, you can integrate the same with Azure Blob Storage for your static assets.  The detailed process for integrating CDN with Blob storage is listed below. 

• You will have to create a new container, and that could be achieved by creating a storage account in Azure.  

• Now upload your static assets into the container and further enable the CDN by navigating to the Security and Networking section featured in the Storage account. 

• Thereafter, create an endpoint and use the same to access your static assets. 

Azure Web Application Firewall 

Azure offers an advanced security feature, including Web Application Firewall, and integrating the same to CDN will give your application an added layer of security. The process for integration is listed below. 

• You need to create an endpoint, and for that, you need to create a CDN profile from the Azure portal. 

• Now, you need to create a Web Application Firewall policy by navigating the Web Application Firewall section. 

• After creating a WAF policy, choose the CDN endpoint that you have created earlier as a policy type. 

• Thereafter, perform a security test to ensure that your applications are safe and secure. 

Analyze Your CDN Performance With Azure Monitor 

It is always essential to monitor your content delivery as it helps your application to perform seamlessly and enables users to access your application effectively. Azure provides monitoring and analysis tools, such as Azure Monitor and Application Insights, that will help you monitor your CDN performance easily. Here, you need to consider a few key elements, such as Response Time, Cache Hit Ratio, and more.  

Conclusion 

Azure Content Delivery Network is the most efficient method to run web applications and enable global audiences to access them. It offers a range of features and reduces most of the traffic load from the origin server, helping you run the applications in Azure CDN effectively.  

However, there are some alarming signs that you should not ignore while running the application, as these give you the time to optimize your application in the CDN. A few of the alarming signs include a Low cache hit ratio, a higher percentage of failed requests, and more.  

On the off chance that you meet these challenges and fail to configure CDN, then you must seek support from an expert, and in this case, Apta Cloud is there for you. The certified Azure partner assists small, medium, large enterprises by offering comprehensive cloud services and solutions.

Contact AptaCloud today to grow your business effectively with insightful assistance and end-to-end support.   

FAQs 

1. What are the Azure CDN benefits? 

There is a range of Azure CDN benefits that help you boost the performance of your application by delivering the pre-saved content from the nearby server of CDN networks and thus reduce load from the origin server and enable users to access the features of an application a lightning speed.  

Additionally, it will protect your application from malicious viruses, threats, and DDoS attacks. Stunning customer experience and offloading traffic are also the salient features of Azure CDN.   

2. How to step into the world of Azure CDN? 

First and foremost, you need to land on the Azure portal and then create an Azure profile and endpoint. Now configure the endpoints with Azure services to enable worldwide audiences to access your application smoothly. However, if at any moment, you find the process difficult, then consult Apta Cloud, which is a leading cloud service and solution provider. 

3. Is it possible to purge the cache in Azure CDN? 

You can manually purge the cache in Azure CDN, and here you have two options: either you can purge the specific files or the entire endpoint, as the same will help your users to access the updated version of your application in no time. 

4. What are the reasons behind the high error rate? 

The reasons behind the high error rate are the poor health of the origin server, CDN misconfiguration, SSL certificate issues, and more.  

5. Can I use Azure Content Delivery Network for dynamic content? 

Yes, you can use Azure CDN for dynamic content, but you will have to access the Dynamic Site Acceleration feature of CDN, as it can handle dynamic content by optimizing the network connection to increase the speed of the requests.