What is the function of a content delivery network (CDN)?

A content delivery network (CDN) plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance and efficiency of delivering digital content to users. The primary function of a CDN is to distribute content across a network of multiple servers strategically located in different geographical areas. This distribution allows users to access content from a server that is physically closer to them, significantly reducing latency and improving load times.

By having multiple servers manage content delivery, a CDN ensures that heavy traffic can be distributed evenly, preventing any single server from becoming a bottleneck. This capability not only enhances the speed of content delivery but also provides redundancy. If one server experiences an issue, the content can be retrieved from another, ensuring consistent and reliable access for users.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the primary function of a CDN. Increasing the data transfer rate on the server pertains more to server performance than to network distribution, storing data in a central location does not leverage the benefits of geographical distribution, and monitoring server traffic for security issues relates to security management rather than content delivery. Thus, the function of distributing content across multiple servers for faster delivery is central to the operation of a CDN.