Cloudflare’s Traffic Manager and Traffic Predictor: AI-Powered Tools for Reliable Global Network Performance

Cloudflare, a leading content delivery network (CDN) and security services provider has unveiled its machine learning (ML)-based Traffic Manager and Traffic Predictor tools. These tools are designed to help Cloudflare maintain reliable global network performance by automating traffic routing and predicting traffic flow shifts.

Traffic Manager

Traffic Manager is a real-time load balancer that helps to keep Cloudflare’s products fast and reliable by only shifting necessary traffic away from data centers that are having issues. Traffic Manager uses AI and ML to automatically detect data center user access troubles and withdraw anycast routes from the affected data center until users no longer see issues. Once it receives notification that the impacted data center can absorb traffic again, it puts the anycast routes back.

Traffic Predictor

Traffic Predictor is a tool designed to predict traffic flow shifts based on real-world tests. Every time Cloudflare adds a new data center or a new peering session, the distribution of traffic changes. Plus, the vendor has 12,500 peering sessions across more than 300 cities, so it’s difficult for a human to keep track of or predict how the traffic will move around the network.

Traffic Predictor carries out an ongoing series of real-world tests to check where traffic actually moves. This testing system simulates removing a data center from service and measuring where traffic would go if that data center wasn’t serving traffic. This information is used by Traffic Manager to preconfigure policies to move requests out of failover data centers to prevent a “thundering-herd scenario” where a sudden influx of requests can cause failures in a second data center if the first one has issues.

Benefits of Traffic Manager and Traffic Predictor

Traffic Manager and Traffic Predictor offer a number of benefits to Cloudflare and its customers, including:

Improved reliability: Traffic Manager and Traffic Predictor help to improve the reliability of Cloudflare’s global network by automating traffic routing and predicting traffic flow shifts. This helps to ensure that Cloudflare’s products and services remain available and performant, even when data centers experience problems.

Reduced downtime: Traffic Manager and Traffic Predictor can help to reduce downtime for Cloudflare’s customers by quickly routing traffic away from affected data centers. This is especially important for businesses that rely on Cloudflare’s products and services to keep their websites and online applications running.
Improved performance: Traffic Manager and Traffic Predictor can help to improve the performance of Cloudflare’s products and services by routing traffic to the closest and most efficient data centers. This can lead to faster page load times and a better overall user experience.

Cloudflare’s Traffic Manager and Traffic Predictor are innovative AI-powered tools that are helping to improve the reliability, performance, and availability of Cloudflare’s global network. These tools are beneficial to both Cloudflare and its customers, and they represent a significant step forward in the management of complex global networks.

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Technology

SpaceX wins $733M Space Force launch contract

by George Mensah 2024-10-19

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a contract worth $733 million for eight launches, reinforcing the organization’s efforts to increase competition among space launch providers. This deal is part of the ongoing “National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1” program, overseen by Space Systems Command (SSC), which focuses on less complex missions involving near-Earth orbits.

Under the contract, SpaceX will handle seven launches for the Space Development Agency and one for the National Reconnaissance Office, all using Falcon 9 rockets. These missions are expected to take place no earlier than 2026.

Space Force launch contract

In 2023, the Space Force divided Phase 3 contracts into two categories: Lane 1 for less risky missions and Lane 2 for heavier payloads and more challenging orbits. Although SpaceX was chosen for Lane 1 launches, competitors like United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin were also in the running. The Space Force aims to foster more competition by allowing new companies to bid for future Lane 1 opportunities, with the next bidding round set for 2024. The overall Lane 1 contract is estimated to be worth $5.6 billion over five years.

Lt. Col. Douglas Downs, SSC’s leader for space launch procurement, emphasized the Space Force’s expectation of more competitors and greater variety in launch providers moving forward. The Phase 3 Lane 1 contracts cover fiscal years 2025 to 2029, with the option to extend for five more years, and the Space Force plans to award at least 30 missions over this period.

While SpaceX has a strong position now, emerging launch providers and new technologies could intensify the competition in the near future.

Technology

5 FREE ESIGNATURE ALTERNATIVES TO DOCUSIGN

by George Mensah 2024-10-18

Electronic signature tools have transformed the way we handle documents, allowing you to sign, send, and manage paperwork digitally without the need for printing or scanning. With these tools, you can sign documents from anywhere, simplifying the process.

While DocuSign is a widely recognized eSignature tool with many useful features, it may not be affordable for everyone, especially for those who need it occasionally. Fortunately, there are plenty of 5 free eSignature alternatives available. After testing several, we’ve compiled a list of the top five free options to help you sign your documents with ease.

DocuSeal

DocuSeal is a highly versatile, open-source tool that lets you create electronic signatures for a wide variety of file types, such as PDFs and Word documents. Its easy-to-use interface makes it simple for anyone to sign documents, and the best part is, it’s completely free.

DocuSeal offers customization options like choosing from different signature styles, adding text, or even uploading images. It also provides secure document storage and encryption, ensuring that your sensitive information stays protected. This makes DocuSeal a strong free alternative to DocuSign for users who need both flexibility and security.

OpenSign

OpenSign is another excellent free eSignature solution that allows you to sign and send documents without any cost. It offers unlimited signatures, making it ideal for individuals or small businesses needing a budget-friendly tool.

One of OpenSign’s standout features is the ability to track your documents in real time. This way, you know exactly when a document is signed. Additionally, every signed document includes a completion certificate, which provides added security. OpenSign supports various file formats, including PDFs and Word docs, offering the flexibility to handle different types of documents.

Smallpdf

Best known for its PDF tools, Smallpdf also provides a robust eSignature feature. You can upload documents, sign them digitally, and send them for signatures in just a few steps. It supports a range of file formats, such as PDFs, Word, and Excel files.

One of Smallpdf’s key advantages is its integration with popular cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive, making it easier to access and sign your documents directly from the cloud. Available on both desktop and mobile, Smallpdf is a convenient choice for users who need a reliable, multi-functional tool.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader is widely used for viewing PDFs, but it also includes eSignature functionality. You can use it to sign documents yourself or send them to others for signing.

Adobe Acrobat Reader also features document tracking, allowing you to monitor when a document has been viewed or signed. While some advanced features require a subscription, the free version provides sufficient eSignature capabilities, making it a good option for occasional users who want a secure and trusted tool.

Canva PDF Editor

Canva is best known for its design capabilities, but it also has a handy PDF Editor that includes eSignature functions. You can upload PDFs and add signature fields as needed, making it a versatile tool for signing contracts, agreements, and other documents.

In addition to signing, Canva allows you to customize your documents by adding logos, text, and design elements. Canva’s PDF Editor also supports real-time collaboration, making it an ideal choice for teams or individuals working together on documents. It’s accessible on both desktop and mobile, making it convenient for signing documents anytime, anywhere.

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