Setting up a reverse proxy with a Content Delivery Network (CDN) is crucial for improving website performance, enhancing security, and enabling efficient integrations like directing partner directories. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for configuring reverse proxies using AWS CloudFront and Azure CDN. Whether you're using AWS or Azure, this article covers everything you need to get started.
1. Configuring AWS CloudFront
1.1 Navigate to CloudFront
Access CloudFront via the AWS Management Console and click Create Distribution.
1.2 Origin Domain Configuration
- Enter the preferred domain name (e.g., yourcompany.channelboost.com).
- Set Origin Name: yourcompany.channelboost.com.
1.3 Default Cache Behavior Settings
- Path Pattern: Default (*).
- Viewer Protocol Policy: Redirect HTTP to HTTPS.
1.4 Cache Key and Origin Requests
- Cache Settings: Select Legacy Cache Settings.
- Include the header Origin.
- Set Query Strings to All.
- Customize Object Caching with TTL values set to 0.
1.5 Security and Price Class
- Disable Web Application Firewall.
- Use all edge locations for the best performance.
1.6 Alternate Domain and SSL Configuration
- Set the alternate domain name (e.g., your.com).
- Choose the appropriate SSL certificate.
1.7 Deploy the Configuration
- Click Create Distribution and wait for deployment.
- Use the generated Distribution Domain Name to access the content.
2. Configuring Azure CDN
2.1. Create a New CDN Profile
2.11 Open the Azure Portal
- Navigate to the Azure portal.
- On the homepage, click Create a Resource (located in the upper-left corner).
- This will open the Create a Resource portal, which provides access to all Azure services.
2.12 Search for Front Door and CDN Profiles
- In the search bar, type Front Door and CDN profiles.
- From the search results, select Front Door and CDN profiles, and then click Create.
2.13 Compare Offerings
- On the next page, you’ll see various options for Azure CDN services.
- Click Compare offerings to view the available CDN types and their features.
2.14 Select Azure CDN Standard from Microsoft (Classic)
- In the comparison view, click Explore other offerings.
- Choose Azure CDN Standard from Microsoft (classic) from the list of options.
- Click Continue to proceed.
2.15 Fill in the Basics Tab
- On the Basics tab, provide the following information:
- Subscription: Select your Azure subscription from the drop-down list.
- Resource Group: Choose an existing resource group or create a new one.
- Resource Group Region: Select the location closest to your users or business.
- Name: Enter a unique name for the CDN profile (e.g., cdn-profile-123).
- Region: Leave the default value.
- Pricing Tier: Select a pricing option based on your needs.
- Create a New CDN Endpoint: Leave this unchecked, as the endpoint will be created later.
2.16 Review and Create the Profile
- Click Review + Create to validate the details you’ve entered.
- If everything is correct, click Create to deploy the CDN profile.
2.2 Creating a New Content Delivery Network Endpoint
2.21 Open the CDN Profile
- After the CDN profile is created, navigate to it by:
- Selecting All Resources from the Azure portal menu.
- Searching for your CDN profile by its name (e.g., cdn-profile-123).
- Click on the CDN profile to open its overview page.
2.22 Add a New Endpoint
- On the CDN profile page, click + Endpoint.
- This opens the Add an Endpoint pane.
2.23 Configure the Endpoint
- Provide the following details:
- Name: Enter a unique name for the endpoint (e.g., cdn-endpoint-123).
- Origin Type: Select Storage, as this example assumes you’re using an Azure Storage account.
- Origin Hostname: Select the hostname of your Azure Storage account from the dropdown list (e.g., cdnstorageacct123.blob.core.windows.net).
- Origin Path: Leave this field blank unless you want to specify a subdirectory.
- Origin Host Header: Keep the default value.
- Protocol: Leave the default selections of HTTP and HTTPS enabled.
- Origin Port: Keep the default port values (80 for HTTP, 443 for HTTPS).
- Optimized For: Keep the default option of General web delivery.
2.24 Create the Endpoint
- Click Add to create the endpoint.
- The newly created endpoint will now appear in the list of endpoints for the CDN profile.
2.3 Outcome
At the end of this process, you’ll have:
- A CDN profile that defines your content delivery settings.
- A CDN endpoint that serves as the delivery point for your content, optimized for fast and secure access.
3. Conclusion
This guide provides a comprehensive approach to setting up reverse proxies using AWS CloudFront and Azure CDN. Following these steps ensures an optimized and secure integration process.
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