I. Why Azure CDN Must Be Tested Separately
In actual projects,Azure CDN rarely appears as a “standalone CDN solution.”It is more a part of the Azure ecosystem.
This test Azure CDNIt's not about comparing which is faster, Cloudflare or this one.
but rather based on a more practical issue:
If the business is already on Azure, is it necessary to add a third-party CDN?
This review essentially answers a question.Enterprise Architecture Decision Issues。
II. Test Environment and Access Context
| Project | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Testing Party | Enterprise Cloud Architecture and Security Testing Team |
| Business Type | Static Resources + API Hybrid Business |
| Origin server environment | Azure VM (West Europe) |
| Access Method | Azure CDN Endpoint |
| Testing Cycle | 10 consecutive days |
It should be noted that:This test remains within the Azure ecosystem.This is the prerequisite for understanding the test results.
III. Azure CDN Billing and Plan Logic
A notable feature of Azure CDN is:It's not “selling CDN,” but “selling traffic.”。
| Project | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Billing Method | Charged based on outgoing data traffic (GB) |
| Regional Differences | Prices vary by region. |
| minimum charge | No mandatory minimum |
| DDoS Protection | Basic protection is included by default. |
This means:Azure CDN is better suited for teams that already have an Azure cost structure in place., rather than users solely focused on low-cost CDN services.
IV. CDN Acceleration Testing Methodology
The focus of acceleration testing is not merely about “speed,” but rather:
- Has a stable connection been established with the Azure origin server?
- Are there any cross-region scheduling anomalies?
curl -o /dev/null -s -w \ "TTFB: %{time_starttransfer}s\nTotal: %{time_total}s\n" \ https://cdn-test.azureedge.net/app.js
Test locations: Netherlands, Germany, France, United Kingdom.
V. CDN Acceleration Test Results
| Region | Direct connection to the origin server | Azure CDN |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | ~180 milliseconds | ~65ms |
| Germany | ~210 milliseconds | ~72ms |
| France | ~230 milliseconds | ~78 milliseconds |
| United Kingdom | ~240ms | ~80 milliseconds |
Judging by the results,Azure CDN does not pursue ultra-low latency.but excels inStability and Consistency。
VI. DDoS Attack Stress Testing Solution
The focus of this DDoS test is not to “overwhelm” the system, but to verify:Azure CDN Can you provide a safety net for the origin server?。
| Project | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Attack Type | HTTP GET Flood |
| Peak requests | Approximately 60k requests per second |
| Duration | 20 minutes |
| Observation point | Origin Server Load and Availability |
VII. DDoS Stress Test Results
| Indicator | Test Results |
|---|---|
| Origin Server CPU | Minor fluctuations |
| Abnormal Traffic Handling | Automatic Mitigation |
| Normal request | Not significantly affected |
| Return status code | 403 / 429 as the main focus |
Azure CDN's DDoS behavior is more like:Part of system-level protection, not a single-point firewall。
8. HTTP Headers and Node Validation
HTTP/2 200 server: AzureFrontDoor x-cache: TCP_HIT x-azure-ref: 2025xxxx
The header information is clear, butLimited information is disclosed externally.This aligns with Azure's consistent security policies.
IX. Frequently Asked Questions (Real-World Usage Scenarios)
Q1: Can Azure CDN replace Cloudflare?
A: If the business is entirely within Azure, it is possible; otherwise, it is not recommended.
Q2: Is Azure DDoS Protection required to be purchased separately for DDoS protection?
A: High-defense scenarios require it; the CDN comes with basic-level protection.
Q3: Is the configuration complicated?
A: It may seem complex for beginners, but it follows familiar Azure logic for enterprise operations teams.
Q4: Is it suitable for small and medium-sized websites?
A: Technically feasible, but the cost and complexity are not favorable.
X. Conclusion:
The most significant feature of Azure CDN is not its speed, but ratherWithout departing from the system。
If you're already running your business on Azure, Azure CDN is aLow friction, low mental effortthe choice;
But if you're simply looking for a CDN, it's not the optimal solution.
This is aCDN for Cloud Architecture Services, not a product designed for CDNs.
