Content distribution networks (CDNs) are the most promising new techniques for coping with the huge and swiftly growing volume of Internet traffic. In essence, CDNs are groups of proxy-servers located at strategic points around the Internet and arranged so as to ensure that a download request can always be handled from the nearest server. In this, the first reference in the field, a recognized CDN pioneer describes the various technologies involved and explains how they came together to form a working system. With the help of case studies, he covers all the practical basics and provides invaluable implementation schemes.