## Summary:

The integration of DNS with a Content Delivery Network (CDN) is customary, as it simplifies the management of DNS alongside other CDN settings. However, there are compelling reasons to consider using a separate DNS service. When utilizing multiple CDNs, maintaining a separate DNS system allows the flexibility to choose the best option at any given moment without being locked into a single provider’s ecosystem and cost structure. The article outlines the benefits of using an independent DNS provider, addressing factors such as cost, performance, resilience, and management.

## The case for separate DNS from your CDN

When signing up with a CDN provider, DNS is often included in the service package to efficiently direct traffic. While it may seem convenient to accept DNS services as part of a CDN package, there are significant implications to consider. The article underscores the impact of DNS on the cost, quality, and resilience of content delivery, especially for organizations using multiple CDNs but not wanting to be restricted to a single provider’s ecosystem.

### Cost
The bundled DNS offering in CDN services is designed to encourage the stickiness of the CDN. Utilizing an independent DNS provider can result in significant cost savings by steering traffic to the lowest cost CDN using DNS.

### Performance
There are substantial performance differences among CDNs, and using the default DNS that comes with a CDN may hinder the ability to switch to a better performing CDN in real time. An independent DNS provider can facilitate this transition by providing insights and enabling rapid configuration.

### Resilience
Outages, though not uncommon, can impact content delivery. Employing an external DNS provider empowers automatic switching from one CDN to another in the event of an outage, ensuring continuous content availability and revenue flow.

### Management
While managing DNS settings within a single CDN platform may save time, it can become burdensome when dealing with multiple CDNs. An external DNS provider simplifies the management process and offers automated control without the need for manual configurations.

### The benefits of a separate DNS layer
Separating the DNS layer when using multiple CDNs allows for optimized traffic steering, cost efficiency, improved performance, enhanced resilience, and streamlined management. Utilizing a fully automated DNS control plane across CDNs provides the flexibility and agility required for dynamic content delivery.

In conclusion, the article emphasizes that separating DNS from the CDN and utilizing an independent DNS provider unlocks numerous benefits, including enhanced cost efficiency, performance optimization, improved resilience, and simplified management.

## FAQ

### What is DNS?
DNS, or Domain Name System, is a hierarchical and decentralized naming system for computers, services, or other resources connected to the internet or a private network.

### How does DNS impact content delivery?
DNS plays a crucial role in directing traffic to the appropriate content delivery network (CDN). Utilizing an independent DNS provider can optimize cost, performance, resilience, and management of content delivery across multiple CDNs.

### Can using multiple CDNs improve content delivery?
Employing multiple CDNs can enhance content delivery by providing redundancy, global coverage, reduced latency, and improved site performance. However, effectively managing traffic across multiple CDNs requires a separate DNS system.

### What are the advantages of separating DNS from a CDN?
Separating DNS from a CDN allows organizations to avoid being locked into a single provider’s ecosystem and cost structure, optimize for cost and performance, improve resilience to outages, and simplify DNS management when using multiple CDNs.