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>AWS is streaming video, operating hundreds of edge location CDN locations, and everything else running on expensive server infrastructure. AWS has real serious

>AWS is streaming video, operating hundreds of edge location CDN locations, and everything else running on expensive server infrastructure. AWS has real serious costs with offering that service, to the point that Netflix has yet to determine that it is better to build it themselves. Somewhat off the core topic, but netflix run their own CDN (I also don't see any evidence for that 1.2 billion AWS bill figure, can you provide a link? Their latest SEC filing doesn't separate cloud service costs from the running of their Open Connect CDN)

PoignardAzur 5y ago
I'm not sure Netflix Open Connect counts as a CDN? They might still use distributed servers from AWS.
- fragmede 5y ago
  The hardware they use for their CDN was recently discussed on HN. They don't use AWS hardware for their CDN. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28584738 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28584738
- redis_mlc 5y ago
  > They might still use distributed servers from AWS. Once again, since HN readers are so thick ... They never used AWS for streaming, unless it was a test of some kind, or maybe to feed origin servers in their CDN, etc. The only conceivable situation where they would is if AWS rolled out a new region in Oceania or somewhere else remote and there was no alternative at launch time. Source: ex-Netflix.
- garblegarble 5y ago
  Netflix themselves classify it as a content delivery network, and that seems pretty fair - how else would you classify a network they have built to optimise content delivery, by way of peering agreements and physical kit they deliver to ISPs on demand? They do use AWS for a lot of their internal compute and packaging, but it wouldn't be cost-effective to use AWS for content delivery, even with a deep discount to the highway robbery standard AWS egress prices.
- robocat 5y ago
  The CDN nature of Netflix appliances is clear if you read their docs on fill patterns: https://openconnect.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360035618071 https://openconnect.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/3600356180... Netflix installs appliances at peering exchanges around the world: https://www.peeringdb.com/net/457 https://www.peeringdb.com/net/457 Disclaimer: I don’t know much beyond a few Google searches on the topic.
SSLy 5y ago
Obiously they've meant IX PoP's or stuff inside ISP networks.

PoignardAzur 5y ago

I'm not sure Netflix Open Connect counts as a CDN? They might still use distributed servers from AWS.

fragmede 5y ago
The hardware they use for their CDN was recently discussed on HN. They don't use AWS hardware for their CDN. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28584738 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28584738
redis_mlc 5y ago
> They might still use distributed servers from AWS. Once again, since HN readers are so thick ... They never used AWS for streaming, unless it was a test of some kind, or maybe to feed origin servers in their CDN, etc. The only conceivable situation where they would is if AWS rolled out a new region in Oceania or somewhere else remote and there was no alternative at launch time. Source: ex-Netflix.
garblegarble 5y ago
Netflix themselves classify it as a content delivery network, and that seems pretty fair - how else would you classify a network they have built to optimise content delivery, by way of peering agreements and physical kit they deliver to ISPs on demand? They do use AWS for a lot of their internal compute and packaging, but it wouldn't be cost-effective to use AWS for content delivery, even with a deep discount to the highway robbery standard AWS egress prices.
robocat 5y ago
The CDN nature of Netflix appliances is clear if you read their docs on fill patterns: https://openconnect.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360035618071 https://openconnect.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/3600356180... Netflix installs appliances at peering exchanges around the world: https://www.peeringdb.com/net/457 https://www.peeringdb.com/net/457 Disclaimer: I don’t know much beyond a few Google searches on the topic.

SSLy 5y ago

Obiously they've meant IX PoP's or stuff inside ISP networks.