Instagram Image upload + CDN — [Notes]

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When a user uploads an image to Instagram, the image is first sent to Instagram’s servers, which are located in various data centers around the world. These servers store the image and perform various processing tasks such as resizing, compression, and optimizing the image for delivery to users.

Once the image has been processed, it is then distributed to a Content Delivery Network (CDN), which is a network of servers located in different geographic regions. The purpose of the CDN is to ensure that the image can be quickly delivered to users around the world, regardless of their location.

When a user in India requests the image, their request is routed to the nearest CDN server, which delivers the image to the user. This process is called caching, and it helps to reduce the time it takes for the image to be delivered to the user by minimizing the distance the image needs to travel.

Here’s a diagram to illustrate the process:

As you can see, the image is first uploaded to Instagram’s servers, where it is processed and then distributed to the CDN. When a user in India requests the image, the request is routed to the nearest CDN server, which delivers the image to the user. This process ensures that the image is delivered quickly and efficiently, regardless of the user’s location.

Instagram uses a content delivery network (CDN) to ensure that images are quickly delivered to users, no matter where they are in the world. The process of uploading and delivering images on Instagram involves several steps, which I will explain using the following diagram:

1. Uploading the image: When a user uploads an image to Instagram, it is first sent to Instagram’s servers. The image is then processed, which includes resizing it and compressing it to make it more suitable for viewing on mobile devices.
2. Storing the image: Once the image has been processed, it is stored in Instagram’s databases. This allows the image to be accessed quickly and efficiently when a user requests it.
3. Requesting the image: When a user requests an image on Instagram, their device sends a request to Instagram’s servers. The server looks up the image in its database and sends it back to the user’s device.
4. Delivering the image via CDN: Instagram uses a CDN to ensure that images are delivered quickly to users all around the world. The CDN consists of a network of servers that are located in various locations around the world. When a user requests an image, the server closest to them in the CDN network delivers the image to them. This helps to minimize the time it takes for the image to be delivered, as the distance between the user and the server is minimized.
5. Caching the image: Once the image has been delivered to the user, it is cached on their device. This means that the image is stored on their device, making it quicker to load the next time it is requested.
6. Sharing the image: Users can also share images on Instagram. When an image is shared, it is sent to Instagram’s servers, where it is processed and stored. When a user requests a shared image, it is delivered in the same way as any other image, via the CDN network.
7. Overall, the process of uploading and delivering images on Instagram involves several steps, from uploading and storing the image to delivering it via a CDN network to users around the world. By using a CDN, Instagram ensures that images are delivered quickly and efficiently, no matter where the user is located.