Azure CDN
Overview
Azure CDN is Microsoft’s content delivery network service that delivers web content to users with high performance and availability. Built on the Akamai CDN platform, Azure CDN provides global content delivery integrated with Microsoft Azure services.
Key Facts
- Launched: 2014 by Microsoft Azure
- Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, USA (Microsoft)
- Status: Part of Microsoft Azure
- CDN engine: Built on Akamai platform (with Cloudflare and Verizon as alternatives)
- Market position: #3 cloud-based CDN provider
Core Services
Azure CDN
- Global edge network — 120+ PoPs via Akamai, Cloudflare, and Verizon partnerships
- HTTP/2 support — Modern protocol support
- Caching rules — Fine-grained cache control
- HTTPS — TLS 1.2/1.3 support with custom certificates
- Real-time metrics — Azure Monitor integration
Azure CDN Edge Functions
- Edge compute — Run code at the edge for content transformation
- Node.js support — JavaScript-based edge functions
- Request/response modification — Headers, URL rewriting, content manipulation
- Integration — Works with Azure Functions and Logic Apps
Pricing Model
- Pay-as-you-go — Based on data transfer and requests
- Standard Microsoft — Akamai-based pricing
- Standard Verizon — Verizon Edgecast-based pricing
- Premium Akamai — Akamai platform with advanced features
- Data transfer — Tiered pricing by volume
Competitive Position
- Strengths: Deep Azure integration, Akamai backing, enterprise features, global reach
- Weaknesses: Less flexible than Cloudflare, complex pricing tiers, limited free tier
- Main competitors: Cloudflare, Amazon CloudFront, Fastly
- Best for: Microsoft Azure-centric organizations, enterprise deployments