The Rapyd CDN is a powerful feature designed to enhance your website’s performance and security. This guide explains the benefits of the Rapyd CDN, how to activate and deactivate it, and what you need to know to use it effectively.
Rapyd CDN Overview
The Rapyd CDN offers numerous benefits for your website, including:
Boosted Performance: By caching static content and serving it from servers closer to users, the Rapyd CDN significantly reduces load times and enhances the user experience.
Enhanced Security with WAF: The Web Application Firewall (WAF) protects your site by intercepting malicious attacks before they reach your server. Enabling the WAF is optional but highly recommended for maximum protection.
Data Storage Options: You can choose from multiple CDN regions, including Global, USA, or Europe & Asia. The Europe & Asia option ensures no data is stored in U.S. datacenters.
Important Notes:
The Rapyd CDN can only be used with Managed Domains. If you have a self-managed domain, you’ll need to migrate your domain to Rapyd to take advantage of this feature.
The CDN can only be activated for a Primary Domain. Each site can have only one primary domain. For more information, check out our Guide to Primary Domains.
How to Activate the Rapyd CDN
To activate the Rapyd CDN, first, ensure that your domain is managed by Rapyd and that you are setting up the CDN for the primary domain of your website.
See these guides if you need help meeting these requirements:
Once you've got these two requirements taken care of, move on activating the Rapyd CDN.
1. Navigate to the Domains Page
Go to your site’s management area in the Rapyd dashboard. Click Settings, then select Domains.
2. Access the Activation Option
In your site's Domain management area, under Custom domains, you will see a list of all custom domains that you have bound to your site.
Locate your primary domain in the list, then click the three dots menu to the right of your primary domain and select Turn on Rapyd CDN.
3. Complete the Setup in the Modal
A modal will appear with the following options:
Domain: Confirms the domain being configured.
CDN Region: Choose between Global, USA, or Europe & Asia. If your data cannot be hosted in US datacenters, select Europe & Asia.
Site Protection: Check this box to enable the WAF for added security.
Click Activate CDN to proceed.
4. Wait for Activation
If successful, you’ll receive a notification that the CDN is being set up. The system will clear your DNS cache and update your SSL certificate. During this process, your domain may be temporarily unresponsive (up to 10 minutes).
Once completed, a CDN Enabled icon will appear in the Status column on the Domains page.
Troubleshooting Activation
If the activation fails, an error will appear in the modal. The Status column will remain as Active.
Ensure the domain is active and managed by Rapyd. Otherwise, the option to activate the CDN won’t appear in the menu.
For further assistance, contact our support team.
How to Deactivate the Rapyd CDN
If you need to turn off the Rapyd CDN, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to the Domains Page
Go to your site’s management area in the Rapyd dashboard. Click Settings, then select Domains.
2. Access the Deactivation Option
Locate your primary domain in the list, then click the three dots menu to the right of your primary domain and select Turn off Rapyd CDN.
3. Confirm the Deactivation
A popup will appear asking you to confirm the deactivation. Click Deactivate CDN to proceed.
4. Wait for the Process to Complete
The system will clear the DNS cache and reissue your SSL certificate. During this process, your domain may be temporarily unresponsive (up to 10 minutes).
Once completed, you’ll receive a notification confirming the deactivation.
Troubleshooting Deactivation
If the process fails, contact our support team for assistance.
After deactivation, the option to turn the Rapyd CDN back on will remain available if needed in the future.
Rapyd CDN FAQs
What is the Rapyd CDN?
The Rapyd CDN is a Content Delivery Network that caches static content and delivers it from servers closer to your users. This reduces load times and improves your website's performance globally.
What are the benefits of the Rapyd CDN?
Faster Load Times: Content is delivered faster, enhancing user experience.
Improved Security: Includes the optional Web Application Firewall (WAF) for additional protection.
Regional Options: You can choose CDN regions (Global, USA, or Europe & Asia), with Europe & Asia ensuring no data is stored in U.S. datacenters.
What is the WAF and why is it important?
The Web Application Firewall (WAF) intercepts malicious traffic before it reaches your server. It helps protect against common threats like:
DDoS Attacks: Prevents distributed denial-of-service attacks.
SQL Injections: Blocks unauthorized attempts to manipulate your database.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Stops attackers from injecting malicious scripts into your site.
What happens if I have a self-managed domain?
The Rapyd CDN can only be used with managed domains. If your domain is self-managed, you can migrate it to Rapyd to take advantage of the CDN and its benefits.
If you choose to keep your domain self-managed, we recommend Cloudflare as an alternative CDN. Cloudflare offers excellent performance and security features, making it a reliable choice for external DNS management.
Can the Rapyd CDN be used with any domain?
No, the CDN can only be activated for managed domains that are set as the primary domain for your site. The domain must also have an Active status in the Rapyd dashboard.
How long does it take to activate or deactivate the CDN?
Activation or deactivation typically takes up to 10 minutes. During this time, your domain may be temporarily unresponsive while the system clears the DNS cache and updates or reissues the SSL certificate.
What happens if the CDN activation fails?
If activation fails, an error will appear in the modal, and the status column will remain Active instead of showing CDN Enabled. Contact Rapyd support for assistance.
Can I turn the CDN on and off?
Yes, you can enable or disable the Rapyd CDN at any time from the three-dot menu next to your primary domain in the dashboard. Keep in mind that changes take up to 10 minutes to process.
Conclusion
The Rapyd CDN is an invaluable tool for boosting your website’s speed and security. By following this guide, you can easily activate or deactivate the CDN as needed. If you have any questions or encounter issues, feel free to contact our support team for assistance.