Media servers are a powerful tool for improving the performance of online stores built on the PrestaShop platform. They allow for the distribution of server load, speeding up page load times and optimizing the overall functionality of the site. In this article, we will explain why media servers are necessary, how to set them up, and how file synchronization with a CDN (Content Delivery Network) works. We will also dive into what CCC (Combine, Compress, Cache) is and how it helps enhance performance.
Why Do You Need Media Servers?
In an online store, especially one filled with numerous images, videos, and other media content, page load times can become slow. Slow loading times negatively affect user experience and can lead to lost conversions. Media servers help address this issue by offloading requests for images and videos to external servers or CDNs, reducing the load on the main server and improving page load times.
Benefits of using media servers:
- Faster page load times. Media files are loaded faster due to parallel requests across multiple servers.
- Reduced server load. This is particularly crucial during peak traffic times, such as sales or promotions.
- Improved user experience. Faster load times lead to higher customer satisfaction.
How Does It Work?
PrestaShop allows you to redirect requests for images, videos, and other media files to media servers or CDNs. A CDN (like Akamai, Amazon CloudFront, or Cloudflare) is a network of servers located around the world that stores copies of your media files. This way, users can download files from the server closest to them, speeding up load times.
You can configure media servers in the "Advanced Parameters" -> "Performance" section of the PrestaShop admin panel. In the "Media Servers (only with CCC)" section, you can enter up to three server addresses or subdomains to host media files.
How Does File Synchronization with CDN Work?
File synchronization with a CDN ensures that the latest versions of media files are always available across all servers. It’s essential that when you add new products or update images, the CDN servers always have the latest versions of the files. Here are several ways to automate synchronization:
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Automatic content pulling. Most CDN services automatically pull new files from the main server when a user requests them. This means you don’t need to manually upload files to the CDN— the service handles it for you.
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Synchronization via FTP/SFTP. You can set up automated file transfers to the CDN server via FTP or SFTP. This process can be automated with scripts that run at regular intervals.
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Using API for synchronization. Some CDNs provide an API to programmatically upload, update, and delete files on the CDN server, automating the synchronization process.
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Modules for PrestaShop. There are modules available for PrestaShop that automatically upload images to the CDN when products are added or updated, simplifying content management in large stores.
What is CCC (Combine, Compress, Cache)?
CCC is an optimization technology that includes three main processes:
- Combine — merging multiple CSS and JavaScript files into one to reduce server requests.
- Compress — compressing files to reduce their size and speed up loading.
- Cache — caching files in the browser to avoid reloading them on subsequent visits.
Using CCC in combination with media servers can significantly boost site performance by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded and speeding up page load times.
Step-by-Step Media Server Setup
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Choose a hosting provider or CDN. If you decide to use a CDN, choose a reliable provider like Amazon CloudFront or Cloudflare.
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Copy your files. Copy the media files from your store (folders
/img,/themes, and/modules) to the CDN or external server. -
Create subdomains. If you’re not using a CDN, you can set up subdomains (e.g.,
cdn1.example.com) that point to the same media files as your main server. -
Configure in PrestaShop. Enter the CDN or subdomain addresses in the "Media Servers" section of PrestaShop.
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Synchronize files. Make sure your media files are always synchronized between the main server and CDN. This can be automated using the methods described above.
Benefits of Using Media Servers
- Faster loading times. Distributing requests across multiple servers speeds up the loading process of media files.
- Scalability. Your online store will be better equipped to handle increased traffic without performance issues.
- Improved SEO. Faster page load times improve your website’s ranking in search engines.
Media servers in PrestaShop are an effective solution for speeding up your online store and enhancing its performance. Automatic file synchronization with CDN and the use of CCC can help create a faster, more stable store ready to handle growth and increased traffic.
If you haven’t yet set up media servers for your store, now is the time to do it. Let us know in the comments if you’ve used this tool and what you think about it!
