Overview
In Q2 FY 18, Cloudflare introduced several products aimed at enhancing the Internet experience from mobile clients to host infrastructure. These products provide developers and organizations with tools to control, secure, and accelerate their applications effectively.
What You'll Learn
1
How to implement Cloudflare's Mobile SDK for application performance monitoring
2
Why using Argo Tunnel enhances security for your web applications
3
When to utilize Dynamic Steering for optimal load balancing
4
How to leverage Stream Delivery for efficient video content distribution
Key Questions Answered
What new features did Cloudflare release in Q2 FY 18?
In Q2 FY 18, Cloudflare released several features including Dynamic Steering for load balancing, support for new DNS record types, an updated Developer Portal, and enhancements to Rocket Loader and Stream Delivery. These features aim to improve application performance, security, and user experience.
How does Cloudflare's Argo Tunnel improve web application security?
Argo Tunnel creates an encrypted connection between your web server and Cloudflare's data centers, ensuring that no visitor can access your server directly. This setup prevents unauthorized access and enhances security by not exposing public inbound ports.
What are the benefits of using Cloudflare's Stream Delivery?
Cloudflare's Stream Delivery simplifies video content distribution by providing fast caching and delivery across a network of over 150 global data centers. This reduces latency and improves the viewing experience for end users.
What changes were made regarding TLS support on Cloudflare's API?
Cloudflare announced the deprecation of TLS 1.0 and 1.1 on api.cloudflare.com, requiring users to use TLS 1.2 or higher for secure connections. This change enhances security by ensuring that only modern protocols are supported.
Technologies & Tools
Backend
Cloudflare Workers
Used for moving workloads from host infrastructure to the Cloudflare Network.
Backend
Cloudflare Spectrum
Protects TCP applications from DDoS attacks and data theft.
Security
Argo Tunnel
Creates secure, encrypted tunnels for web applications.
Frontend
Cloudflare's Mobile SDK
Provides performance monitoring for mobile applications.
Key Actionable Insights
1Implement Cloudflare's Mobile SDK to gain insights into application performance across different networks.This SDK allows developers to monitor load times and performance metrics, enabling them to optimize their applications for better user experiences.
2Utilize Dynamic Steering for load balancing to ensure users are directed to the fastest server pools.By automating traffic steering based on round-trip time, this feature helps improve application responsiveness and user satisfaction.
3Adopt the updated Rocket Loader for faster website paint times, especially on mobile devices.This upgrade prioritizes content delivery over JavaScript execution, enhancing the overall user experience on mobile platforms.
4Leverage Stream Delivery for efficient video content management and distribution.This service reduces bandwidth costs and improves delivery speeds, making it ideal for applications that rely heavily on video content.
Common Pitfalls
1
Failing to update to TLS 1.2 or higher can lead to security vulnerabilities.
As Cloudflare deprecates older TLS versions, applications that do not comply may face connectivity issues and increased risk of attacks.
2
Not leveraging Dynamic Steering may result in slower application response times.
Without using this feature, users might be directed to less responsive server pools, negatively impacting their experience.
Related Concepts
Cloudflare's Security Features
Load Balancing Techniques
Video Content Delivery Optimization