Glossary

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TermDefinitionProduct
cache lockCache lock (or mutex) is a mechanism employed by CDN data centers, comprising numerous servers, to prevent the overloading of origin servers. This mechanism ensures that only one server can request a specific file from the origin at any given time, facilitating efficient coordination among the servers.Cache
content delivery network (CDN)A geographically distributed group of servers which work together to provide fast delivery of Internet content.Cache, DDoS Protection, Fundamentals
edge serverA server located at the edge of a network, typically within a CDN, that serves content to end-users.Cache, Logs
EDNS Client Subnet (ECS)

ECS is a DNS extension that enables recursive DNS resolvers to include client IP address information in their DNS queries.

Not all resolvers use ECS but, if they do, usually a part of the IP address is omitted. Sending ECS headers is generally intended to reduce latency and speed up content delivery in connection to CDNs and load balancers. The ECS mechanism is specified in RFC 7871.

1.1.1.1 (DNS Resolver), Cloudflare One, DNS, Load Balancing
origin serverThe original server where the web content is hosted before it is distributed to edge servers in a CDN.Cache