Why it matters

CloudFront is AWS CDN default. Understanding shapes global content delivery.

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The architecture

Distribution: caching config + origin.

Edge locations: serve users nearest.

CloudFront architectureDistributionconfig + originEdge locationsglobal cachingOrigin (S3/ALB/custom)authoritative sourceLambda@Edge + CloudFront Functions run code at edge
CDN components.
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How it works end to end

Caching: TTL per behavior + response headers.

Signed URLs / cookies: restrict access.

WAF integration: DDoS + application-layer protection.

Origin failover: primary + backup origins.