What is a data distribution network?
A data distribution network (DDN) is a collection of fully-managed infrastructure deployed across multiple clouds and regions that serve as distribution points for data products. Like a content distribution network (CDN), a DDN replicates data closer to consumers to improve performance and reduce costs.
How does Bobsled's Data Distribution Network (DDN) work?
Each Bobsled account comes with fully-managed infrastructure — Distribution Points (DPs) — in every cloud and region of each supported destination. Customers have two different implementation options for Bobsled DDN:
Managed DDN: All Distribution Points are created, managed and orchestrated by Bobsled and white-labeled under the account owner's name.
Connected DDN: Distribution points are created and managed by the customer but orchestrated by Bobsled.
The Bobsled DDN is designed to support performant data sharing while optimizing cloud costs. Bobsled offers several different sharing patterns:
Localized sharing: A full copy of the dataset is replicated into the distribution point closest to the consumer
Centralized sharing: Data remains in the core data product lakehouse and is accessed remotely through optimized connections
What are the advantages of a Data Distribution Network (DDN)?
Localization Requirements: Localization is a key requirement for most modern sharing protocols. Even in cases where global sharing is enabled, localization is still considered a best practice because it significantly reduces the egress liability for the provider and improves performance.
Infrastructure Complexity: Building a data distribution network in-house requires the management and orchestration of accounts across multiple platforms, each with their own specific requirements.
Key Benefits:
Native sharing support across all major cloud platforms
Simplified infrastructure management with fully-managed distribution points
Cloud cost reduction through optimized data placement and reduced egress fees