We’re delighted to host Oren Mondshine, Head of Research and Technological Solutions at YIT. As one of the founders of Ynet in the late 1990s, Oren witnessed the first digital revolution and has over 36 years of extensive experience in the field of technology.
Today, Oren extensively utilizes AI tools for software development, research, and technological solutions. His expertise spans areas such as facial recognition, automated transcription, text analysis, and content creation. He also works in video and image compression, leading YIT toward a cutting-edge future by integrating advanced technologies.
In his monthly newsletter, Oren provides an in-depth review of Cloudflare solutions, describing their impact on the industry and analyzing the benefits and challenges of using them. He shares insights on how to effectively integrate these solutions within organizations and how they help maintain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic market. Beyond being a valued client, Oren serves as an inspiring source of knowledge, challenging us to strive for excellence and uphold high standards.
Oren Mondshein
Head of Research And Technology Solutions - ynet - yit
Introduction
Welcome to the Shein-Update December 2024 🎉! In the modern digital world, the race for fast performance and strong security has become a whole new game. When Akamai (AKAMAI reversed I-AM-AKA I am like you) ruled supreme as the undisputed king of CDN services, no one thought that one day a company would come along to shake up the market with a completely different approach. Cloudflare entered the scene like a refreshing storm wind, bringing with it a true revolution in the perception of the modern internet. 🚀
The Rolls-Royce Story: A Perfect Metaphor 🚗
"Before we dive deep into the technical solutions, let me tell you a story that perfectly illustrates the difference between two approaches in the CDN market. It is said that once, in the middle of the African desert, a luxurious Rolls-Royce broke down. The worried owner called the company's headquarters, who immediately flew out an expert team of technicians to the location. When the customer returned home and tried to pay for this amazing service, company representatives responded with gentle astonishment: 'Excuse us, sir, but we have no record of a Rolls-Royce ever breaking down.' 🛠️
The Parallel to the Digital World
Akamai, like Rolls-Royce, represents the high end of the market. It provides top-level service with uncompromising support and customized solutions - and with a price tag to match.
Cloudflare, on the other hand, is like a modern Toyota: reliable, efficient, and innovative. It offers:
🌟 Generous free basic service
☕ Premium plan at the price of a daily cup of coffee
🚀 Excellent performance for most users
💪 Dominates over 62% of the market (according to Built With)
The Quiet Revolution
Cloudflare understood something profound: Most businesses and developers don't need a Rolls-Royce. They need a reliable, economical vehicle that gets the job done excellently - just like a Toyota. And if you're a business client? You receive the Lexus experience - a premium solution at a competitive price. 🚙
Added Value
While Akamai continues to serve clients seeking the most luxurious service, Cloudflare allows:
🚀 Immediate entry into the CDN world with no initial cost
⬆️ Gradual upgrades as needed
🔄 Maximum flexibility in choosing services
This is not just a technological revolution, but also a revolution in accessibility. Cloudflare has made services that were once available only to giant corporations accessible to every developer and small business. 💪
A Point to Consider
When I use the term "Akamization" even when talking about Cloudflare solutions, it's not just out of nostalgia. It's a reminder that the market has matured and changed. Today, the most advanced technology doesn't have to come with a Rolls-Royce price tag. 🎯
A Guide to Cloudflare Workers and Related Products
Introduction 💡
In this section of the update-shine, we will get to know Cloudflare's hottest product Workers 🔥. In today's modern digital era, the demand for high performance, quick response times, and enhanced security is growing day by day. Cloudflare, one of the leading companies in network and security services, offers advanced solutions for developers and development managers through Cloudflare Workers and an array of related products. Here, we will delve into these technologies and examine how they can help in developing and managing modern applications. 🌐
Cloudflare Workers ⚡
What are Cloudflare Workers?
Cloudflare Workers are a serverless functions platform that allows developers to run code in languages like JavaScript++, Rust, C, and more at the edge of Cloudflare's global network. This enables operations closer to end-users, leading to faster response times and an improved user experience. 🔄
Advantages:
⚡ High Performance: Running code close to users reduces latency.
📈 Scalability: The platform automatically handles scaling according to loads.
💰 Low Operating Cost: The payment model is based on actual usage without needing server management.
Common Uses:
🚀 Dynamic Content Optimization
🔒 Authentication and Security
🌐 API Request Processing at Edge
Related Products 🛠️
I will add two new products to the list while maintaining the same structure and design:
Frameworks 🎨
Description:
Frameworks allow running front-end sites - static or dynamic - directly on Cloudflare's global network with experimental support for various leading frameworks. 🌐
Advantages:
🛠️ Variety of Platforms: Support for Angular, Astro, Next.js, among others.
⚡ Fast Performance: Direct execution on Cloudflare's network.
🔄 Flexible Development: Ability to choose your preferred framework.
Static Assets 📦
Description:
Static Assets enable creating fast and scalable front-end applications deployed on Cloudflare Workers with support for static sites and full-stack applications. 🚀
Advantages:
💰 Cost Savings: Free unlimited requests for static assets.
🌍 Global Deployment: Fast access from anywhere in the world.
🔗 Full Integration: Works seamlessly with KV, Durable Objects, and R2.
Workflows 🔄
Description:
Workflows is a robust execution engine allowing multi-stage application building atop Cloudflare Workers. It enables running long-term processes with automatic retry capabilities and state preservation. 🎯
Advantages:
⏱️ Runtime Flexibility: Ability to run for minutes, hours, days or weeks.
🔄 High Reliability: Automatic retries with built-in state saving.
📊 Advanced Monitoring: Track process progress in real-time.
R2 💾
Description:
R2 is an object storage service enabling large amounts of unstructured data storage without high data egress costs typical of traditional cloud services. 📦
Advantages:
💰 Low Cost: No data egress fees.
🌍 High Availability: Data stored on Cloudflare's global network.
🔄 Seamless Integration: Directly works with Workers & additional products.
D1 🗄️
Description:
D1 is a serverless SQL database allowing developers to create & operate databases directly from Worker & Pages projects (the simpler generation preceding Workers). 📊
Advantages:
🎯 Ease of Use: Create/manage databases without servers needed.
⚡ High Performance: Fast response times due running at edge locations.
🔧 **Compatibility : SQL Support allows use existing tools/knowledge.
Durable Objects 🎯
Description:
Durable Objects provide an API for global coordination with consistent and strong storage. They enable stateful applications without servers. 🔄
Advantages:
📍 Consistent Storage: Access to up-to-date data from anywhere.
🌐 Global Coordination: Management of states and resources worldwide.
🛠️ Development Flexibility: Allows building more complex applications.
KV (Key-Value Storage) 🗝️
Description:
KV is a key-value data storage service offering low latency on a global level. 📦
Advantages:
⚡ Speed: Fast access to data from anywhere in the world.
🎯 Simplicity: Simple data model for developers.
📈 Scalability: Suitable for applications with high demands.
Queues 📬
Description:
Queues enable sending and receiving messages with delivery assurance, without data egress costs. 📨
Advantages:
✅ Reliability: Ensured message delivery.
💰 Low Cost: No data egress fees.
🔄 Integration: Works directly with Workers and additional services.
Hyperdrive 🚄
Description:
Hyperdrive allows turning existing regional databases into globally distributed databases. 🌍
Advantages:
📈 Global Scalability: Improved performance and availability.
🔄 Use of Existing Resources: Does not require changes to the original database.
🔗 Seamless Integration: Works with existing infrastructures.
Workers AI 🤖
Description:
Workers AI allows developers to run machine learning models on Cloudflare's global network, using serverless GPUs. This enables integration of AI capabilities directly at the network edge. 🧠
Advantages:
⚡ Fast AI Performance: Running models close to users.
🔄 Development Simplicity: Easy integration with Cloudflare Workers.
💰 Cost Savings: Pay-as-you-go without needing own GPU infrastructure.
Vectorize 🎯
Description:
Vectorize is a vector database that enables building full AI applications with vector data support. 🧮
Advantages:
🤖 Optimization for AI: Especially suitable for machine learning applications.
⚡ High Performance: Adapted to work with vector data.
🔄 Integration with Workers AI: Enables end-to-end development.
MCP (Model Context Protocol) 🧠
Description:
MCP is an open protocol allowing LLMs to naturally communicate with various Cloudflare services. The protocol enables models like Claude to access information and perform actions in systems using natural language. 🤖
Advantages:
🗣️ Natural Communication: Interaction with services through simple human language.
🔄 Smart Integration: Works with R2, D1, KV, and Workers.
🌐 Open Protocol: Allows expansion and adaptation for various needs.
Zaraz 🔒
Description:
Zaraz (Tag Manager) enables moving third-party tools and services to the cloud, thereby improving site speed and security. 🚀
Advantages:
⚡ Improved Performance: Reducing load on user's browser.
🛡️ Enhanced Security: Reducing third-party security risks.
🎯 Central Management: Control third-party tools from one place.
Summary 🎯
Cloudflare Workers and associated products provide a comprehensive platform for modern development. From frameworks enabling the running of leading front-end applications and static assets management, through advanced storage and data solutions, to AI tools and content management. The system includes Workflows for running long-term complex processes, now also featuring MCP allowing natural interaction with different services. The platform offers an end-to-end solution combining high performance, advanced security, flexible development capabilities - all under one roof with excellent global performance. 🚀
🌟 A small taste from the selection of examples - how Cloudflare Workflows is changing the world of digital communication 🚀
In this part of Update-Shane, I share with you the experience of Craig Dennis from Cloudflare, who discovered a way to do something he wanted to do for years - program phones 📱.
Sounds strange, right? Most people think of phones as closed devices that can only be used. But there is a company named Twilio that allows you to buy a phone number and program it 🔧. You can send text messages, receive messages, make calls - all with just a few lines of code.
It sounds simple, but the results can be magical ✨. Imagine sending a text message to a number, and suddenly the computer calls you back, talks to you, plays music 🎵. It's like magic - but magic that can be programmed.
Until recently, it was difficult to do this well ⚡. The main problem was timing. When someone sends a text message, you have only a few seconds to respond before the connection closes. That's not enough time to do interesting things.
But now Cloudflare has come out with a new tool called Workflows 🛠️. It allows us to write programs that run in the background without being time-limited. You can wait a minute, five minutes, an hour - as long as you want - and then call back.
Sound complicated? Let's see how simple it is 🎯. Here's the program Craig presented:
Someone sends a text message to my number 📨
The program immediately sends back a message saying "I received your message ❤️"
After two minutes, the program calls the number that sent the message ☎️
When they answer the phone, the program says "Hello from Cloudflare Workflow" and plays a motivational quote 🎤
That's it. Less than 50 lines of code 💻. But the result feels like magic.
What’s interesting here is not just that it works but how easy it's become 🚀. Ten years ago we needed expert programmers to do such things. Today anyone who knows some programming can do it.
And this is just the beginning 🌱. With these tools, we can build systems that talk naturally with people, respond to what they say, know when to call and when to wait. You can add artificial intelligence 🤖, connect to databases 💾, integrate with other services.
Once upon a time when we wanted to build something for the internet we had to worry about servers, storage, communication 🔧 . Today all that disappears . We simply write code and Cloudflare takes care of everything else . It’s like once you had generate power yourself , today you just plug into socket ⚡ .
We are at start new wave 🌊 . As smartphones changed way use phones , so these tools going change way we program them . 🎯
Summary
Cloudflare has changed rules game development infrastructure world . While Akamai continues serve its large traditional customers , Cloudflare created democratic revolution CDN security market She succeeded making services once exclusive domain giant organizations accessible every developer business With rich toolbox competitive prices innovative solutions , Cloudflare doesn’t only change way develop – she changes way internet works 🌐 Hope comprehensive review on new products Cloudflare Workers contributed better understanding advanced capabilities Look forward continue update further innovations provide practical examples usage these products Keep following ! 🚀
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