NS1

NS1 (IBM NS1 Connect) is a leading intelligent DNS and traffic management platform focused on optimizing global application delivery through DNS traffic orchestration and multi-CDN solutions.

This service leverages DNS as its core infrastructure to deliver intelligent traffic routing, automatic failover, and real-time monitoring, helping enterprises build more reliable, high-performance global network architectures.

Unlike traditional CDNs, NS1 does not directly provide content storage and distribution. Instead, it acts as a ”traffic director,” intelligently routing user requests to the optimal CDN or origin server to achieve dual optimization of application performance and cost.

1. NS1 (IBM NS1 Connect) Basic Information

• Service Provider Name: NS1 (IBM NS1 Connect)
• English Name: NS1 (IBM NS1 Connect)
• Founded: 2013 (Acquired by IBM in 2023)
• Headquarters Address: New York, USA
• Official website address: https://ns1.com/
• Service Types: Managed DNS Service, Intelligent Traffic Scheduling, Multi-CDN Management, Global Server Load Balancing (GSLB), DNS Security Protection, Real-time Monitoring and Analysis
• Reference Pricing: Essentials plan starting at $250/month; Standard plan approximately $349–$401/month (includes 50M queries and 1,000 records); Premium plan pricing customized based on query volume and record count; Free developer accounts available (limited functionality but full API access).
• Is a trial available? Yes, basic features can be experienced with a free developer account.

2. NS1 (IBM NS1 Connect) Core Advantages and Technical Features

Global Anycast Network Architecture
Deployed across 26 global Points of Presence (PoPs) with an Anycast network architecture, ensuring low-latency response (global median latency of 21ms) and 99.999% service availability. The network features a fully redundant design that maintains service continuity even during partial node failures, meeting enterprise-grade SLA requirements. Dedicated nodes in China (Shanghai, Beijing, Qingdao, Shenzhen) optimize access performance within the region.

Intelligent Filter Chain Traffic Scheduling
The proprietary FilterChain technology enables users to create multi-tiered, customizable traffic routing rules, making intelligent routing decisions based on multi-dimensional parameters such as geographic location, network performance, Real User Monitoring (RUM) data, and CDN costs. Supporting over 30 distinct traffic filtering conditions, it stands as one of the most flexible DNS traffic scheduling systems available on the market.

Real-time data-driven decision-making capabilities
Integrated with Real User Monitoring (RUM) and a dedicated data partner network, it captures actual end-user experience data to enable ”user-centric” intelligent routing. Real-time monitoring of CDN/origin server performance automatically redirects traffic to the optimal alternative path during failures or performance degradation, ensuring consistent user experience.

MultiCDN Optimization and Cost Control
As a neutral third-party platform, NS1 seamlessly integrates multiple CDN services to help enterprises build a ”CDN Alliance,” dynamically allocating traffic based on real-time performance and cost data. CDN usage priorities and quotas can be configured to ensure full utilization of each CDN contract allocation, preventing resource wastage and reducing overall delivery costs.

API-first architecture is DevOps-friendly
Provides a comprehensive RESTful API supporting Infrastructure as Code (IaC), enabling seamless integration with DevOps tools like Terraform and Ansible. All configurations can be managed via API, enabling automated administration and large-scale deployment to meet the agile operational requirements of modern cloud-native applications.

3. NS1 (IBM NS1 Connect) Key Products and Services

• Fully Managed DNS Service (Authoritative DNS, Recursive DNS)
• Intelligent Traffic Scheduling (Based on Multiple Dimensions Including Geolocation, Performance, and Load)
• Multi-CDN Management and Optimization (Seamless Integration with Leading CDNs)
• Global Server Load Balancing (GSLB) Solution
• Real-time Monitoring and Health Checks (Supports multiple monitoring methods including HTTP, PING, DNS, etc.)
• DNS Security Protection (DDoS Defense, DNSSEC Support)
• Advanced Analytics and Visualization (DNS Insights Service)
• Dedicated DNS Service (Single-tenant, Physically Isolated Redundant DNS Environment)

4. NS1 (IBM NS1 Connect) Supported Regions / Billing Currencies

• Coverage Areas: North America, South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific (including China), with Points of Presence (PoPs) in 26 locations worldwide, forming a global coverage network.

Coverage Features: Comprehensive coverage across major global commercial regions, with high node density in internet-developed areas such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific; dedicated nodes in China optimize access performance within the region; Anycast technology ensures users are always connected to the nearest available node.

Supported billing currencies: US Dollar (USD)

5. How to Connect to NS1 (IBM NS1 Connect)

1. Visit the NS1 official website (https://ns1.com/) to register for a free developer account or contact sales for enterprise-level solutions.
2. Log in to the NS1 management console, create a DNS zone, and configure the domain name.
3. Configure traffic routing policies: Add Filter Chain rules to set traffic distribution logic (such as geographic load balancing, failover, load balancing, etc.).
4. Integrated CDN/Origin Servers: Add CDN/origin server addresses, configure health checks and performance monitoring;
5. Update domain NS records: Point the domain's authoritative DNS servers to the nameservers provided by NS1.
6. Monitoring and Optimization: Enable real-time analytics and logging capabilities to continuously refine traffic strategies, ensuring optimal performance and cost efficiency.

6. NS1 (IBM NS1 Connect) Use Cases

• Global Website and Application Acceleration for Multinational Corporations (Ensuring Consistent User Experience Across Regions)
• Multi-CDN Strategy Management (Establish a CDN Alliance to Avoid Reliance on a Single CDN)
• E-commerce Platform Globalization (Intelligent Routing to Nearest/Optimal CDN, Boosting Conversion Rates)
• Streaming Media and Online Video Services (Optimizing viewing experience and reducing buffering rates by integrating RUM data)
• Game Publisher Global Download Acceleration (Intelligently distributes download nodes based on player location)
• Enterprise Hybrid Cloud/Multi-Cloud Environment Traffic Management (Unified Management of Cross-Cloud Resource Access)
• Critical business applications requiring high availability (financial trading systems, SaaS services, etc.)

7. NS1 (IBM NS1 Connect) Frequently Asked Questions

Is NS1 a CDN service? How does it differ from traditional CDNs?
NS1 is not a CDN, but a DNS traffic management platform. Traditional CDNs directly store and distribute content, while NS1 focuses on ”traffic orchestration,” intelligently routing user requests to the optimal CDN or origin server via DNS. NS1 integrates with multiple CDNs, providing a neutral multi-CDN management solution that helps businesses optimize CDN utilization and reduce costs.

How is NS1 priced? What is the billing model?
NS1 operates on a subscription-based pricing model, with rates determined by query volume, record count, and feature package. The Essentials plan starts at $250/month; the Standard plan ranges from approximately $349 to $401/month; the Premium plan is customized to meet enterprise requirements. A free developer account provides access to core features but includes query volume limitations.

How does NS1 manage multiple CDNs? Which CDNs are supported?
NS1 seamlessly integrates with leading CDN services (such as AWS CloudFront, Cloudflare, Akamai, etc.) through a neutral API interface. Enterprises can centrally manage multiple CDNs on the NS1 platform, dynamically allocate traffic based on real-time performance data and costs, achieving the convenience of ”managing all CDNs from a single console.”

How does NS1 ensure DNS security? Does it provide DDoS protection?
NS1 delivers enterprise-grade DNS security protection, including DDoS defense, DNSSEC support, and traffic monitoring. Its Anycast network architecture inherently resists DDoS attacks by automatically distributing traffic across global nodes during incidents. Additionally, it offers Dedicated DNS services, providing physically isolated, single-tenant DNS environments for enterprises with the highest security requirements.

Can NS1 integrate with my existing infrastructure?
NS1 employs an open API architecture, enabling integration with virtually all cloud platforms, CDNs, and DevOps tools. It supports infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform and Ansible, allowing automated management via APIs and seamless integration into existing technology stacks. DNS configuration changes take effect near real-time through the Anycast network, minimizing deployment time.

How does NS1 help businesses reduce CDN costs?
Through multi-CDN intelligent scheduling, NS1 ensures enterprises fully utilize their CDN contract quotas to prevent resource wastage. CDN usage priorities and quotas can be configured to select the most cost-effective path based on real-time pricing and performance data. Research indicates that adopting NS1's multi-CDN optimization strategy can help businesses reduce overall CDN expenditures by 20-40%.

Editor's Note

As a DNS traffic management specialist, NS1 should be clearly positioned as a ”CDN auxiliary service” rather than a CDN itself within CDN navigation websites. Its core value lies in helping enterprises build smarter, more reliable global content delivery architectures, making it particularly suitable for businesses already using multiple CDNs or planning to implement multi-CDN strategies. During selection, prioritize evaluating the flexibility of its traffic routing rules, multi-CDN integration capabilities, and real-time monitoring and analytics functions—these represent NS1's core competitive advantages over other DNS providers. After integrating NS1, enterprises should regularly monitor performance metrics across all CDNs and continuously optimize traffic distribution strategies to fully leverage its multi-CDN management strengths.