Use CloudFront for Dynamic content

Let me explain how CloudFront handles dynamic content:

  1. Dynamic Content Caching:

    • By default, CloudFront forwards ALL requests for dynamic content to the origin

    • Cache behavior can be configured based on HTTP headers, cookies, query strings

    • TTL (Time To Live) can be set to 0 for truly dynamic content

  2. Performance Optimizations for Dynamic Content:

    • Persistent Connections: CloudFront maintains a pool of persistent connections to the origin

    • SSL/TLS Connection Reuse: Reduces handshake overhead

    • Gzip Compression: Can compress responses automatically

    • TCP Connection Management: CloudFront optimizes TCP connections from edge to origin

  3. Key Features for Dynamic Content:

    • Origin Shield: Acts as an additional caching layer to reduce load on origin

    • Cache-Control Headers: Origin can control caching behavior

    • Real-time Logs: Monitor and analyze dynamic content delivery

    • Origin Failover: Automatic failover to backup origins if primary fails

  4. Configuration Options:

    {
      "CacheBehavior": {
        "MinTTL": 0,
        "DefaultTTL": 0,
        "MaxTTL": 0,
        "ForwardedValues": {
          "Headers": ["*"],
          "Cookies": {
            "Forward": "all"
          },
          "QueryString": true
        }
      }
    }
  5. Benefits for Dynamic Content:

    • Reduced Latency: Edge locations terminate client connections closer to users

    • Better Security: DDoS protection and AWS Shield integration

    • Lower Origin Load: Connection pooling and optimization

    • Global Network: Leverages AWS's global backbone network

  6. Best Practices:

    • Use Cache Policies to specify which request components affect caching

    • Enable Origin Shield in the Region closest to your origin

    • Configure appropriate timeout settings

    • Monitor cache hit/miss ratios

    • Use appropriate price class based on your global needs

Even when content can't be cached, CloudFront still provides significant performance benefits through its network optimizations and connection handling.

Last updated