Streaming Architecture
Single-CDN
Single CDN refers to an OTT delivery setup where all video traffic is routed through one content delivery network provider, simplifying operations but concentrating performance and outage risk in a single vendor.
Single vendor delivery
Simplified architecture
Lower operational overhead
Higher outage concentration risk
Where it fits in OTT stack
Origin
Single CDN
Player
Device
How it works
- Content is uploaded to an origin server and distributed through one CDN provider.
- The CDN caches video segments and static assets at edge locations near viewers.
- User requests are routed to the nearest or best-performing edge within that CDN’s network.
- Playback performance depends on that provider’s global footprint, ISP relationships, and traffic capacity.
Key components
- Single CDN provider
- Origin server (cloud storage or media origin)
- Caching configuration (TTL rules, cache keys, purge policies)
- Security controls (token authentication, signed URLs, DRM delivery)
- Basic QoE monitoring (startup time, rebuffering, error rates)
- SLA agreement with defined uptime and performance commitments
Performance impact
- Consistent performance in regions where the CDN has strong coverage
- Lower operational complexity compared to multi-CDN setups
- Faster implementation and simpler debugging
- Playback reliability fully dependent on one provider’s network stability
Common issues
- Regional performance gaps if the CDN has weak ISP peering in certain areas
- Higher risk during CDN-wide outages or routing incidents
- Limited flexibility during large live-event traffic spikes
- No automatic failover if the CDN experiences degradation
- Potential origin overload if cache rules are misconfigured
When this is the right choice
- Single-region or geographically concentrated audience
- Moderate and predictable traffic volumes
- Early-stage OTT platforms prioritizing speed to market
- Teams with limited DevOps bandwidth for advanced traffic steering
- Use cases where operational simplicity outweighs redundancy needs
Signals to consider Multi-CDN
- Audience concentrated in one country or region
- Low incident history with current CDN provider
- Limited engineering resources for complex delivery architecture
- No contractual SLA requirements for multi-provider redundancy
- Stable QoE metrics without ISP-specific performance anomalies
Real-world example
Operating a regional OTT platform with a single CDN strategy
A regional entertainment OTT platform serves viewers primarily within one country, with predictable evening traffic peaks and a largely mobile-first audience.
Challenge
- The team needed a fast launch without complex infrastructure setup.
- Traffic volumes were moderate but consistent, not global-scale.
- Engineering resources were limited for managing advanced routing logic.
- The business prioritized operational simplicity over redundancy.
Action taken
- Integrated a single, well-established CDN with strong national ISP coverage.
- Configured caching rules optimized for video segments and thumbnails.
- Implemented QoE monitoring focused on startup time and rebuffering ratio.
- Negotiated SLA and performance guarantees directly with the CDN provider.
Outcome
The platform achieved stable startup times under 3 seconds and maintained consistent playback performance across major regions. Operational overhead remained low, allowing the team to focus on content growth rather than infrastructure management.
FAQs
When is Single-CDN the right choice?
Single-CDN works best when your audience is concentrated in one region, traffic volumes are predictable, and operational simplicity is a priority over redundancy.
What is the main risk of using a Single-CDN?
All traffic depends on one provider. If that CDN experiences outages, ISP congestion, or regional slowdowns, your entire platform’s playback performance can be affected.
Can a Single-CDN deliver good performance for live events?
Yes, if concurrency levels are within the CDN’s capacity and regional coverage is strong. However, high-stakes or global live events may expose resilience limitations.
Is Single-CDN cheaper than Multi-CDN?
Typically yes. It reduces integration effort, monitoring complexity, and vendor management overhead, though pricing depends on traffic scale and negotiated contracts.