Skyfish CDN: Optimize load times, and improve user experience
CDN stands for Content Delivery Network. The Skyfish CDN is made up of a network of servers, spread around the globe. This network enables Skyfish to efficiently distribute the content — including images, videos, and any other files — that you want to share with users over the internet. Copies of your shared files are placed on each server in the network, so that when users load one, they are actually loading a local copy, which is faster to reach. In short, CDN technology increases your content’s performance by optimizing its load-times, improving your users’ experience.
How do I use the CDN in Skyfish?
The Skyfish CDN is a simple and effective way to publish all your content worldwide directly from Skyfish.
Using the CDN is straightforward. You don’t need any technical knowledge — all it takes is a few clicks. Inside Skyfish, you generate a special CDN Link for each file you want to share. Then you embed this link wherever you want to share or display the file online: for example, on your website, intranet, or any other digital platform. This works for every file type! Whether you’re sharing images, PDFs, videos, or any other format; just create your file’s CDN Link, embed it online, and point users towards it.
CDN Links can be used with most content management systems (CMSs), including WordPress, Umbraco, SiteCore, Drupal, and Typo3. You can also use CDN Links with email campaign tools like Mailchimp or SendGrid. This lets you seamlessly embed your in-house content into your email communication; for example: you can embed your company logo into an email’s signature using a CDN Link, and ensure your communication presents a professional aesthetic.
Instantly share your files worldwide from Skyfish
When you share a file using the CDN, the file gets copied and cached on multiple servers worldwide. Users that load your content aren’t forced to load it from one server that could be half-way around the globe. Instead, they load it from whichever server is geographically closest to the user. As a result, users download your content as quickly as possible.
You can think of it like buying something from a nearby shop. Instead of ordering your purchase from a warehouse far away, you get to it much quicker, and avoid a long delivery time. In the same way, Skyfish CDN delivers content directly from the nearest server to the user, without having to make any long-distance data transfers.
Skyfish’s CDN can also convert images into formats with smaller file sizes, so that they load efficiently over the internet. When you use the CDN to publish images on your website, the CDN automatically recognizes that it’s loading an image online, and adjusts the image format for an optimal user experience.
This makes sure your website loads smoothly and feels seamless to navigate. With Skyfish’s CDN, you improve your user experience!
Control and security while publishing files with Skyfish
All of your content on Skyfish remains — as always — GDPR-compliant and totally private until you explicitly authorize its publication through CDN.
Please note: Skyfish’s CDN publishes files worldwide on multiple servers, so it should not be used for confidential or sensitive content!
Inside Skyfish, all your active CDN Links can be controlled from a single panel, so that you can maintain a complete overview, and keep your files secure with as little effort as possible. Your overview also shows you vital information like file sizes, and lets you control individual settings for each file you have published.
If, at any time, you need to make a file you’ve published private again, you can just delete its CDN Link on Skyfish from the overview with just one click. This immediately makes the file disappear online from everywhere it previously appeared. To replace a published file with another one, you can use the Replace function by selecting an alternative file from your Skyfish Drive. The content will be replaced at all previously published locations. You stay in control of your content at all times.
Skyfish Administrators can also specify which of their Skyfish Users are able to create CDN Links. This is just like setting access permissions for folders in Skyfish. Administrators manage this from the overview of their CDN Links in Skyfish. They select the corresponding users and user groups, and specify exactly which rights they have.
- Users with View or View & Upload rights can only use the overview to see which CDN Links are active.
- Users with Edit & Upload rights can create and delete CDN Links.
- Users with no CDN Links permissions cannot use the feature at all.
How can I set up CDN for Skyfish?
In order to use CDN links, it is necessary to set up a CDN domain first. This can be done in a few steps by navigating to the Administrator Settings and selecting “CDN Links” in the left menu bar. This option is available to you as an administrator if you are either using Skyfish Enterprise or have bought the CDN add-on.
- Read and accept the terms and conditions for the use of CDN links.
- In this step you can name your CDN domain individually:
cdn.skyfish.com/yourdomain
The CDN domain is an individual address that will be used to deliver the content of your website via the CDN. For instance, this can reflect the name of your organization.
Once you have saved these settings, you can assign CDN links for your desired files to be published.
- Right-click on the file you want to publish and select “CDN Link” from the drop-down menu.
- Wait a few seconds until the dialog box opens with your copyable CDN link.
- For images, you now have the option to make adjustments such as aspect ratio or conversion to grayscale. Already existing CDN links can be canceled at this point.
In the preview you can see how the image will be displayed on your platform.
When you are satisfied, the generated CDN link can be embedded into your CMS system and your file will be published exactly where it was inserted.