In the latest episode of Leaseweb Tech Talk, we tackle real-world CDN configuration challenges that Leaseweb customers have faced. Our host, Pamily, is joined by Product Manager Shanook Jaansen to break down the most common DNS misconfigurations and how to avoid them in a Multi-CDN environment. If you’re using or considering a Multi-CDN strategy, this episode is packed with insights to help you optimize your setup.
Common CDN Configuration Challenges
Setting up a CDN isn’t always straightforward, especially when integrating multiple CDN providers. One of the most frequent issues? DNS misconfigurations.
According to Shanook, many customers struggle with setting up DNS records correctly, limiting their ability to efficiently distribute traffic across multiple CDNs. Even experienced teams can make these mistakes, leading to performance issues and reduced reliability.
Challenge 1: DNS Configuration for Multi-CDN
A classic example came from a customer, let’s call them Customer X, who ran into trouble when setting up their Multi-CDN environment. Instead of balancing traffic across multiple CDNs, all their traffic was being routed to just one provider. The culprit? They had used an A record to point directly to a single CDN.
The Fix:
Instead of an A record, Customer X should have used an ALIAS record for their root domain or a CNAME record for their subdomains.
ALIAS records allow you to route traffic dynamically across multiple CDN providers, improving performance and redundancy.
CNAME records help redirect traffic at the subdomain level without locking it into a single provider.
Understanding DNS Records: A, CNAME, ALIAS, & AAAA
To avoid similar pitfalls, it’s crucial to understand the key DNS records and when to use them:
A Record: Maps a domain to a static IP address. Not ideal for Multi-CDN setups.
CNAME Record: Points a domain to another domain name, useful for subdomains.
ALIAS Record: Works like a CNAME but for root domains, enabling load balancing.
AAAA Record: The IPv6 version of an A record, crucial for modern infrastructures.
Challenge 2: Choosing the Right DNS Record
Selecting the right DNS record is key to avoiding downtime and ensuring performance. Here’s a quick guide:
Use ALIAS records for root domains when using Multi-CDN.
Use CNAME records for subdomains.
Avoid using A records in a Multi-CDN setup, as they restrict flexibility.
If your infrastructure supports IPv6, use AAAA records for future-proofing.
Challenge 3: IPv6 and AAAA Records
With IPv4 addresses running out, many businesses are shifting to IPv6. AAAA records play a critical role in ensuring that content is accessible via the latest internet technologies.
Final Takeaways
Incorrect DNS configurations can limit the performance of your Multi-CDN setup.
Choosing the right DNS records, ALIAS or CNAME instead of A records, can make a significant difference in traffic distribution and load balancing.
IPv6 adoption is increasing, making AAAA records an important part of future-proofing your network.
If you’re facing challenges with your configuration, Leaseweb’s team is here to help, just reach out to one of our experts. Check out the full podcast episode for more details and practical solutions!
Listen to the full episode of Leaseweb Tech Talk here!