Title

AWS re:Invent 2022 - Optimizing performance with CloudFront: Every millisecond matters (NET313)

Summary

Sagar Desarda and Blake Thompson presented on optimizing web performance using Amazon CloudFront.
Importance of web performance for SEO, brand credibility, conversion rates, and user experience was highlighted.
AWS's global infrastructure and its role in providing a reliable and secure network for customer data was discussed.
Mapbox's use of CloudFront for delivering global maps and real-time traffic data was showcased.
The benefits of running compute at the edge with CloudFront were emphasized, including server management and infrastructure.
Recent feature launches in CloudFront were shared, driven by customer feedback.
AWS's commitment to security and reliability was detailed, including encryption, custom hardware, and DDoS protection.
Insights into Mapbox's performance strategy, including availability, performance, measurement, and understanding, were provided.
Techniques for improving application performance with CloudFront, such as cache policies, eTag validation, and byte range requests, were explained.
The use of serverless functions on CloudFront for global code deployment was discussed.
New CloudFront features like server timing headers, JATRI fingerprinting, continuous deployment support, and HTTP/3 support were introduced.

CloudFront's integration with AWS's global infrastructure is critical for delivering high-performance web applications.
Mapbox's reliance on CloudFront for handling over a trillion requests a year demonstrates the scalability and reliability of the service.
The use of serverless functions on CloudFront allows for the offloading of complex logic to the edge, reducing origin server load and improving performance.
The introduction of new features like server timing headers and JATRI fingerprinting indicates AWS's focus on providing developers with tools for better performance monitoring and security.
Continuous deployment support in CloudFront can significantly reduce the risks associated with CDN code deployment, offering a safer environment for testing and rolling out new features.
The adoption of HTTP/3 by CloudFront is a forward-looking move that aligns with the latest web standards for faster and more reliable connections.
Mapbox's strategy of using AWS services like Route 53 and CloudFront functions to maintain high availability and performance can serve as a blueprint for other companies looking to optimize their web applications.
AWS's approach to customer-driven feature development, with 90-95% of the product roadmap determined by customer feedback, ensures that the services evolve to meet the actual needs of users.