Tunneling helps your private data travel securely on the internet. Understanding tunneling can help you understand how internet data security works, enabling you to better safeguard your data and privacy.
What Is Tunneling?
Tunneling—also referred to as port forwarding or network tunneling—is the process of transmitting private network data through a public network securely and efficiently. Imagine a protected tunnel, stretching from your house (private network) to your favorite store (destination/local network) amidst a bustling city (public network.) Your train (data) carries valuable cargo (your information) that needs to be protected from prying eyes.
With tunneling, this train enters the protected tunnel from your home, travels securely across the city via a tunnel, and finally arrives at the store, escaping the notice of city residents other than yourself. Tunneling keeps your data safe and protected from prying eyes as it travels to its destination.
Why Tunneling Matters: Tunneling as Part of Networking
A network is a system of two or more connected devices, and networking is the practice of connecting these devices together so they can share resources and information. Tunneling is the part of networking that facilitates secure and efficient data transmission. It allows connected systems to communicate and collaborate safely and securely over public networks.
One major benefit of tunneling is that it allows remote workers and field teams to safely work offsite without compromising personal or organizational security. A remote worker can safely access a private corporate network via the internet. For example, they can safely connect to HQ and then access, submit, and download sensitive files by using secure tunnel connections provided by the company.
Network Tunneling Use Cases
Tunneling has a wide range of applications including:
| Use Case | Description |
| Multi-site collaboration | Collaborate in real time and securely share data across remote physical locations—important for geographically distributed companies and remote workforces. |
| Remote support | Safely provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance to remote users, customers, and systems. |
| Network monitoring | Monitor and enforce network segmentation compliance for safe and secure transmission of sensitive business data. |
| Disaster recovery | Easily regain access to and control of your IT infrastructure after an incident by establishing backup channels between data centers. |
| Responsible healthcare record handling | Safely share healthcare records between and among providers. Healthcare records are among the most targeted records in data breaches. |
| Safe supply chain management | Securely manage your supply chain interactions and communications with vendors, suppliers, and partners. |
| Secure ecommerce transactions | Establish secure channels for processing ecommerce payments, gaining customer trust and loyalty. |
| Bypass geo-restrictions and censorship | Easily bypass unfavorable geo-restrictions and censorship to safely access business-critical services. (By encapsulating your internet traffic within another layer of data that is encrypted, it’s difficult for ISPs or government agencies to determine the actual content or destination of your data. Your original IP is masked, making it appear as if you are accessing the internet from a location without restrictions.) |
| Improved VoIP call quality and safety | Overcome poor voice quality, dropped calls, and security breaches when using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to make calls over the internet. (Tunneling reduces the risk of packet loss, latency, and jitter, as the encapsulated data can be prioritized for efficient transmission. Encryption provided by the tunnel ensures that the call is secure from eavesdropping.) |
| Enhanced gaming security | Improve security, especially for peer-to-peer (P2P) games such as Fortnite, where one player sets up the server and others connect remotely. |
How Does Tunneling Work?
Tunneling involves six key processes: encryption, encapsulation, header addition, transmission, decapsulation, and decryption. These processes occur for both outgoing and incoming traffic.
- Encryption: Bits of data known as “packets” are encrypted to ensure security and privacy during transmission.
- Encapsulation: Encrypted data packets are encapsulated within a public network protocol, a set of rules that govern communication and data transmission on a network, and become the “payload”—the data being securely transmitted.
- Header addition: A header specifies one end of the secure tunnel as the originating point and the other as the destination. During encapsulation, a packet of encrypted data is enveloped by a wrapping protocol which adds a header. In simple terms, this step means that the header tells the data where to go.
- Transmission: The encapsulated (disguised) packet traverses the public network unnoticed.
- Decapsulation: On reaching the local network, the data undergoes decapsulation. Decapsulation is the process where the added header is removed, and the original encrypted data packet is extracted.
- Decryption: The extracted data packet is decrypted and then delivered to its intended destination IP address.
What Is Packet Encapsulation?
In step two of the tunneling process, above, we encountered packet encapsulation. This is a key aspect of tunneling, so let’s explore it in depth.
Packet encapsulation involves adding supplementary header (and sometimes also trailer) information to the original packet. This is referred to as “wrapping” one data packet within another data packet.
Encapsulation ensures proper routing and protocol compatibility and interoperability. When data is transmitted through a network, it is broken into smaller units referred to as packets, datagrams, segments, blocks, cells, or frames.
Each data packet comprises a header and a payload. The header contains essential information such as the source address, destination address, protocol type, and packet number, allowing routers and switches to route the packet efficiently to its intended destination. The payload contains the actual content or original data. The trailer provides additional data integrity and error-checking information.
How Does Packet Encapsulation Work?
Packet encapsulation in tunneling can be explained using the Open Systems Interconnections (OSI) model, a seven-layer conceptual framework that describes how data moves through a network.
Here’s how packet encapsulation works in tunneling based on the OSI model:
- Application data (Layer 7) gains a TCP header at the transport layer (Layer 4,) turning it into a TCP segment.
- This TCP segment receives an IP header at the network layer (Layer 3,) becoming an IP packet with source and destination addresses.
- The IP packet is wrapped in an Ethernet frame at the data link layer (Layer 2,) adding MAC addresses and other transmission details.
- Finally, this Ethernet frame is converted to bits at the physical layer (Layer 1) for network transmission.
During decapsulation, these layers are peeled off in reverse as the data ascends the OSI layers, restoring the original application data.
Benefits of Packet Encapsulation
Packet encapsulation serves purposes such as:
- Promoting network compatibility: By encapsulating data packets at different layers, packet encapsulation facilitates network/protocol coexistence.
- Enhancing data security and privacy: Encapsulation protects private network data from unauthorized access and potential threats, enhancing data security and privacy.
- Bypassing network restrictions: Encapsulation allows data to evade network nodes and bypass firewalls, effectively overcoming known network restrictions.
- Logical separation and network performance optimization: Encapsulation aids logical separation and segmentation within a network, leading to improved network performance, and simplified network monitoring and analysis.
- Simplifying network monitoring and analysis: Encapsulation provides structured headers and metadata, facilitating network monitoring and analysis for efficient troubleshooting and maintenance.
However, adding additional headers and metadata increases data packet size, leading to higher bandwidth consumption and transmission times, which may cause latency or lags.
Types of Tunneling
Tunneling refers to the entire process of encryption, encapsulation, and transmission. There are three main types of tunneling: GRE tunneling, split tunneling, and VPN tunneling.
GRE Tunneling
Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) tunnels enable secure, virtual point-to-point connections across diverse networks using two endpoint routers. Compatible with various network layer protocols in the OSI model, they easily integrate with existing networks and public clouds. They support multicast, broadcast, and dynamic routing protocols like OSPF and EIGRP, making them versatile for different network configurations.
How GRE Tunneling Works
Here’s how GRE tunneling works; you’ll notice it follows the basic network tunneling process described above.
- Establishment of GRE tunnel: Two endpoints, typically routers, establish a GRE tunnel while maintaining a physical or logical connection to the host network.
- Packet encapsulation: Data packets for transmission from point A to point B are encapsulated, or wrapped, within GRE packets. The original packet becomes the payload of the GRE packet.
- Header addition: The GRE packet adds a new header containing essential metadata such as the protocol type and routing information.
- Routing: The encapsulated packet is routed through the intermediate network (such as the internet) to reach the other endpoint of the tunnel.
- Decapsulation: At the other endpoint of the tunnel, the GRE packet header is removed (decapsulated) and the original packet extracted.
- Delivery: The original data packet is sent to the local network, where a destination device can read the original data.
Pros and Cons of GRE Tunneling
The advantages of GRE lie in its versatility and adaptability.
- Protocol agnostic: Carry packets from multiple different network layer protocols, making them highly versatile.
- Easy Integration: Seamlessly integrate with existing network setups, including legacy systems, private networks, and public clouds.
- Routing support: Compatible with dynamic routing protocols like OSPF and EIGRP, allowing for more intelligent and efficient routing decisions.
- Multicast and broadcast support: Handle multicast and broadcast traffic, facilitating efficient data transmission to multiple network nodes.
- Simple setup: Typically requires less configuration and administrative overhead compared to other tunneling protocols.
- Flexibility: Can be combined with other protocols for added security and functionality.
However, GRE tunneling lacks built-in encryption, making it vulnerable to potential threats such as eavesdropping, tampering and modification, and replaying attacks. To address such security concerns, GRE tunneling can be integrated with additional security protocols. GRE packets that exceed Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) and Maximum Segment Size (MSS) may require fragmentation before transmission. These processes require extra compute power, which can result in increased latency and slower packet delivery times.
Split Tunneling
Split Tunneling, or Split VPN Tunneling, is another network routing technique that allows the division of network traffic between a secure connection and the open internet, via a VPN. Split tunneling helps to optimize security, performance, and resource allocation.
Typically, a VPN routes all its traffic through its encrypted connection, ensuring higher level security but potentially increased latency due to the additional encryption process. Split tunneling addresses this by offering businesses a secure VPN connection and direct access to the open internet.
How Split Tunneling Works
Here is how split tunneling works:
- VPN setup: A secure connection to a private network is established using a VPN client.
- Traffic split: Some network traffic is directed through the encrypted VPN tunnel, while other traffic accesses the internet directly.
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- Encryption: The traffic going through the VPN tunnel is encrypted for security.
- Direct access: Non-sensitive activities like internet browsing bypass the encrypted tunnel for faster speeds.
Pros and Cons of Split Tunneling
Split tunneling offers both benefits and security risks. It enhances network efficiency by allowing users to access both secure and non-secure resources simultaneously, reducing the load on the VPN server. By doing so, it improves connection speeds for non-sensitive tasks, as this traffic bypasses the encrypted VPN tunnel, leading to faster internet browsing and lower latency.
However, it can potentially create backdoors for threats by allowing users to bypass network controls. Proxy tampering and VPN bypass also weaken corporate traffic monitoring. To mitigate risks, organizations should enforce strict traffic filtering, encryption, and robust access controls. Proper security measures strike a balance between performance and security, safeguarding both the network and user activities.
VPN Tunneling
A VPN tunnel provides a secure, encrypted connection over a public network, enabling users to access private network content safely through the Internet. VPN tunneling is widely used by companies to connect with remote teams or branch offices securely.
How VPN Tunneling Works
Here is how VPN tunneling works:
- Connection request: A VPN client software or device sends a connection request to a VPN server, which is usually part of a distributed private network.
- Tunnel creation: After successful authentication, a secure virtual tunnel is established between the client and server, allowing them to communicate and transmit data securely.
- Encryption: The VPN client encrypts the user’s network traffic.
- Encapsulation: The encrypted network traffic is encapsulated within another packet/protocol, which includes a header and payload.
- Tunneling: The encapsulated packet is then tunneled through the public network, such as the Internet, to reach the VPN server.
- Decapsulation and decryption: Upon reaching the VPN server, the encapsulated packet is decapsulated and decrypted, revealing the original data.
Pros and Cons of VPN Tunneling
VPN tunneling is beneficial for security, privacy, remote access, bypassing geographical restrictions, and network segmentation. Nevertheless, it has limitations. Resource intensive tasks like encryption/decryption and encapsulation/decapsulation can result in latency, leading to reduced speed and performance, especially when VPN servers are located afar.
While VPNs offer a high level of privacy and anonymity, they do not guarantee 100% tracking protection. Browsing behavior and social media activity can still be monitored, and some VPN may keep access logs, potentially compromising user data if pressured by authorities. Trusted VPN services with a zero-logs policy may come at a cost, and VPN usage is restricted or banned in some countries and by certain essential services like banking.
Comparing GRE, Split, and VPN Tunneling
This table compares GRE tunneling, split tunneling, and VPN tunneling.
| Criteria | GRE tunneling | Split tunneling | VPN tunneling |
| Setup | Straightforward | Varying complexity | May involve more complex setup and management |
| Security | Lacks built-in security features but can integrate with security protocol like IPsec, SSL, TLS | Secure tunnel-only encryption | Secure with full encryption |
| Protocol | GRE protocol for encapsulation | Based on routing configuration | Can use IPsec, SSL, or TLS for encryption and encapsulation |
| Traffic handling | All network traffic sent through tunnel | Traffic is split between tunnel and the Internet | All traffic encrypted and sent through tunnel |
| Network visibility | Limited visibility into local network traffic | Local network resources visible while connected to tunnel | Private network resources are accessible |
| Impact | Minimal overhead with some latency | Depends on number of split tunnels, can result in increased latency | Additional processing needed, resulting in increased latency |
| Use case | Point-to-point VPN | Balancing network performance and resource optimization | Remote access, bypassing restrictions, enhanced privacy |
Whatever your preferred tunneling technique, tunneling is an effective measure in shielding servers and networks from incoming malicious traffic.
How to Protect Against Tunneling Attacks
Tunneling techniques can be exploited in attacks like DNS tunneling to create covert channels that bypass security measures, compromising network integrity. To safeguard against these multi-layer attacks, various effective mitigation measures are essential:
- Web application firewall (WAF): Implementing a WAF provides comprehensive application layer and API protection against tunneling-based threats. WAFs scan and filter incoming traffic, blocking malicious traffic and protecting your web server. Gcore’s advanced WAF utilizes machine-learning techniques and real-time monitoring to defend applications and APIs, acting as a first line of defense against tunneling-based attacks. It also scans resources in real time to find potential vulnerabilities.
- Bot protection: Botnets and malicious bots can exploit encrypted tunnels to execute DDoS attacks and other malicious activities. Gcore offers comprehensive Bot Protection, effectively detecting and mitigating aggressive bot activity, across the network, transport, and application layers, including web scraping, API scraping, account takeover, TLS session attacks, and form submission abuse.
- GRE tunnel: A GRE tunnel establishes a secure, private connection between network endpoints or routers, providing protection against brute force and GRE DDoS attacks in cases where there’s no point of presence (PoP) in client server location. Gcore’s global server network and scrubbing centers power GRE tunnels, offering fast and highly secure connections.
- DNS protection: DNS-based attacks, such as DNS tunneling, can be difficult to detect, as DNS resolvers may be compromised and exploited for tunneling attacks. Gcore’s free, public DNS resolvers offer fast, secure, low-latency services, leveraging our 150+ node Anycast network for robust DNS protection. Combined with Gcore’s DNS hosting service, we provide reliable protection against DNS-related tunneling threats.
Conclusion
Tunneling plays a crucial role in establishing secure network connections, enabling organizations to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their key data. Whether for remote teams or overall network security, the right tunneling solution is essential to ensure a robust and protected networking environment.
Gcore’s tunneling services offer a comprehensive approach to network protection, leveraging the advantages of a public network’s wide coverage while ensuring the security and privacy of a local network. By utilizing Gcore’s WAF and Bot Protection, and GRE tunneling, businesses can provide safe and uninterrupted 24/7 access to critical company resources, enabling seamless and secure communication across the network.
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To make this work reliably, you must enable DNS Healthchecks for each origin so that Gcore DNS can automatically detect outages and filter out unhealthy IPs from responses.Objective:North America → na.cdn.example.comEurope → eu.cdn.example.comEach region has its own fallbackDNS setup:Host: cdn.example.comType: A TTL: 60 Dynamic response: Enabled Preset: GeoDNS North America → 203.0.113.10 # NA CDN IP Backup (NA region only) → 185.22.33.44 # EU CDN as backup for NA Health check → Enabled for 203.0.113.10 with HTTP/TCP probe settingsEurope → 185.22.33.44 # EU CDN IP Backup (EU region only) → 203.0.113.10 # NA CDN as backup for EU Health check → Enabled for 185.22.33.44Note: Multi-level fallback by region isn’t supported inside one rule set—you need to separate them to keep routing decisions clean.3. Traffic steering for complianceScenario: You need to keep EU user data inside the EU for GDPR compliance while routing the rest of the world to lower-cost infrastructure elsewhere. This approach is useful for fintech, healthcare, or regulated SaaS workloads where regulatory compliance is a challenge.Objective:EU users → EU-only backendAll other users → Global backendDNS setup:Host: transactions.example.com Type: A TTL: 300 Dynamic response: Enabled Preset: GeoDNS Europe → 185.10.10.10 # EU regional API node Fallback → 198.51.100.42 # Global API nodeEdge casesGeoDNS works well, but it’s worth keeping in mind a few edge cases and limitations when you get set up.Resolver location ≠ user locationBy default, Gcore uses ECS (EDNS Client Subnet) for precise client subnet geo-balancing. If ECS isn’t present, resolver IP is used, which may skew location (e.g., public resolvers, mobile carriers). ECS usage can be disabled in the ManagedDNS UI if needed.Caching slows failoverEven if your upstream fails, users may have cached the original IP for minutes. Fallback + TTL tuning are key.No sub-regional precisionYou can route by continent, country, or ASN—but not city. City-level precision isn’t currently supported.Gcore delivers simple solutions to big problemsGeo-aware routing is one of those features that quietly solves big problems, especially when your app or CDN runs globally. With Gcore DNS, you don’t need complex infrastructure to start optimizing traffic flow.Geo-aware routing with Gcore DNS is a lightweight way to optimize performance, localize content, or handle regional failover. If you need greater precision, consider pairing GeoDNS with in-app geolocation logic or CDN edge logic. But for many routing use cases, DNS is the simplest and fastest way to go.Get free-forever Gcore DNS with just a few clicks
Flexible DDoS mitigation with BGP Flowspec
For customers who understand their own network traffic patterns, rigid DDoS protection can be more of a limitation than a safeguard. That’s why Gcore supports BGP Flowspec: a flexible, standards-based method for defining granular filters that block or rate-limit malicious traffic in real time…before it reaches your infrastructure.In this article, we’ll walk through:What Flowspec is and how it worksThe specific filters and actions Gcore supportsCommon use cases, with example rule definitionsHow to activate and monitor Flowspec in your environmentWhat is the BGP Flowspec?BGP Flowspec (RFC 8955) extends Border Gateway Protocol to distribute traffic filtering rules alongside routing updates. Instead of static ACLs or reactive blackholing, Flowspec enables near-instantaneous propagation of mitigation rules across networks.BGP tells routers how to reach IP prefixes across the internet. With Flowspec, those same BGP announcements can now carry rules, not just routes. Each rule describes a pattern of traffic (e.g., TCP SYN packets >1000 bytes from a specific subnet) and what action to take (drop, rate-limit, mark, or redirect).What are the benefits of the BGP Flowspec?Most traditional DDoS protection services react to threats after they start, whether by blackholing traffic to a target IP, redirecting flows to a scrubbing center, or applying rigid, static filters. These approaches can block legitimate traffic, introduce latency, or be too slow to respond to fast-evolving attacks.Flowspec offers a more flexible alternative.Proactive mitigation: Instead of waiting for attacks, you can define known-bad traffic patterns ahead of time and block them instantly. Flowspec lets experienced operators prevent incidents before they start.Granular filtering: You’re not limited to blocking by IP or port. With Flowspec, you can match on packet size, TCP flags, ICMP codes, and more, enabling fine-tuned control that traditional ACLs or RTBH don’t support.Edge offloading: Filtering happens directly on Gcore’s routers, offloading your infrastructure and avoiding scrubbing latency.Real-time updates: Changes to rules are distributed across the network via BGP and take effect immediately, faster than manual intervention or standard blackholing.You still have the option to block traffic during an active attack, but with Flowspec, you gain the flexibility to protect services with minimal disruption and greater precision than conventional tools allow.Which parts of the Flowspec does Gcore implement?Gcore supports twelve filter types and four actions of the Flowspec.Supported filter typesGcore supports all 12 standard Flowspec match components.Filter FieldDescriptionDestination prefixTarget subnet (usually your service or app)Source prefixSource of traffic (e.g., attacker IP range)IP protocolTCP, UDP, ICMP, etc.Port / Source portMatch specific client or server portsDestination portMatch destination-side service portsICMP type/codeFilter echo requests, errors, etc.TCP flagsFilter packets by SYN, ACK, RST, FIN, combinationsPacket lengthFilter based on payload sizeDSCPQuality of service code pointFragmentMatch on packet fragmentation characteristicsSupported actionsGcore DDoS Protection supports the following Flowspec actions, which can be triggered when traffic matches a specific filter:ActionDescriptionTraffic-rate (0x8006)Throttle/rate limit traffic by byte-per-second rateredirectRedirect traffic to alternate location (e.g., scrubbing)traffic-markingApply DSCP marks for downstream classificationno-action (drop)Drop packets (rate-limit 0)Rule orderingRFC 5575 defines the implicit order of Flowspec rules. The crucial point is that more specific announcements take preference, not the order in which the rules are propagated.Gcore also respects Flowspec rule ordering per RFC 5575. More specific filters override broader ones. Future support for Flowspec v2 (with explicit ordering) is under consideration, pending vendor adoption.Blackholing and extended blackholing (eBH)Remote-triggered blackhole (RTBH) is a standardized protection method that the client manages via BGP by analyzing traffic, identifying the direction of the attack (i.e., the destination IP address). This method protects against volumetric attacks.Customers using Gcore IP Transit can trigger immediate blackholing for attacked prefixes via BGP, using the well-known blackhole community tag 65000:666. All traffic to that destination IP is dropped at Gcore’s edge.The list of supported BGP communities is available here.BGP extended blackholeExtended blackhole (eBH) allows for more granular blackholing that does not affect legitimate traffic. For customers unable to implement Flowspec directly, Gcore supports eBH. You announce target prefixes with pre-agreed BGP communities, and Gcore translates them into Flowspec mitigations.To configure this option, contact our NOC at noc@gcore.lu.Monitoring and limitationsGcore can support several logging transports, including mail and Slack.If the number of Flowspec prefixes exceeds the configured limit, Gcore DDoS Protection stops accepting new announcements, but BGP sessions and existing prefixes will stay active. Gcore will receive a notification that you reached the limit.How to activateActivation takes just two steps:Define rules on your edge router using Flowspec NLRI formatAnnounce rules via BGP to Gcore’s intermediate control planeThen, Gcore validates and propagates the filters to border routers. Filters are installed on edge devices and take effect immediately.If attack patterns are unknown, you’ll first need to detect anomalies using your existing monitoring stack, then define the appropriate Flowspec rules.Need help activating Flowspec? Get in touch via our 24/7 support channels and our experts will be glad to assist.Set up GRE and benefit from Flowspec today
Tuning Gcore CDN rules for dynamic application data caching
Caching services like a CDN service can be a solid addition to your web stack. They lower response latency and improve user experience while also helping protect your origin servers through security features like access control lists (ACLs) and traffic filtering. However, if you’re running a highly dynamic web service, a misconfigured CDN might lead to the delivery of stale or, in the worst case, wrong data.If you’re hosting a dynamic web service and want to speed it up, this guide is for you. It explains the common issues dynamic services have with CDNs and how to solve them with Gcore CDN.How does dynamic data differ from static data?There are two main differences between static and dynamic data:Change frequency: Dynamic data changes more often than static data. Some websites stay the same for weeks or months; others change multiple times daily.Personalized responses: Static systems deliver the same response for a given URL path. Dynamic systems, by contrast, can generate different responses for each user, based on parameters like authentication, location, session data, or user preferences.Now, you might ask: Aren’t static websites simply HTML pages while dynamic ones are generated on-the-fly by application servers?It depends.A website consisting only of HTML pages might still be dynamic if the pages are changed frequently, and an application server that generates HTML responses can serve the same HTML forever and always provide everyone with the same content for a URL. The CDN network doesn’t know how you create the HTML. It only sees the finished product and decides how long it should cache it. You need to decide on a case-by-case basis.How do cache rules affect dynamic data?When using a CDN, you have to define rules that govern the caching of your data. If you consider this data dynamic, either because it changes frequently or because you deliver user-specific responses, those rules can drastically impact the user experience, ranging from the delivery of stale data to completely wrong data.Cache expirationFirst, consider cache expiration time. With Gcore CDN, you have two options:Let your origin server control it. This is ideal for dynamic systems using application servers because it gives you precise control without needing to adjust Gcore settings.Let Gcore CDN control it. This works well for static HTTP servers delivering HTML pages that change often. If you can’t modify the server’s cache configuration, using Gcore’s settings is easier.No matter which method you choose, understand what your users consider “stale” and set the expiration time accordingly.Query string handlingNext, decide how Gcore CDN should handle URL query parameters. Ignoring them can improve performance—but for dynamic systems that use query strings for server-side sorting, filtering, or pagination, this can break functionality.For example, a headless CMS might use: https://example.com/api/posts?sort=asc&start=99If the CDN ignores the query string, it will always deliver the cached response, even if new parameters are requested. So, make sure to disable the Ignore query string parameters setting when necessary.Cookie bypassingCookies are often used for session handling. While ignoring cookies can boost performance, doing so risks breaking applications that rely on them.For example: https://example.com/api/users/profileIf this endpoint relies on a session cookie, caching without considering the cookie will serve the same user profile to everyone. Be sure to disable “Ignore cookies” if your server uses them for authentication or personalization.Cache key customizationIf you need more detailed control over the caching, you can modify the cache key generation. This key defines the mapping of a request to a cache entry and allows you to manage the granularity of your caching.The Gcore Customer Portal offers basic customization functionality, and the support team can help with advanced rules. For example, adding the request method (e.g., GET, HEAD, POST, etc.) to your cache key ensures a single URL has a dedicated cache entry for each method instead of using one for all.GraphQL considerationsMost GraphQL implementations only use POST requests and include the GraphQL query in the request body. This means every GraphQL request will use the same URL and the same method, regardless of the query. Gcore CDN doesn’t check the request body when caching, so every query will result in the same cache key and override each other.To make sure the CDN doesn’t break your API, turn off caching for all your GraphQL endpoints.Path-based CDN rules for hybrid contentIf your application serves both static and dynamic content across different paths, Gcore CDN rules offer a powerful way to manage caching more granularly.Using the CDN rules engine, you can create specific rules for individual file paths or extensions. This allows you to apply dynamic-appropriate settings—like disabling caching or respecting cookies—only to dynamic endpoints (e.g., /api/**), while using more aggressive caching for static assets (e.g., /assets/**, /images/**, or /js/**).This path-level control delivers performance gains from CDN caching without compromising the correctness of dynamic content delivery.SummaryUsing a CDN is an easy way to improve your site’s performance, and even dynamic applications can benefit from CDN caching when configured correctly. Check that:Expiration times reflect real-world freshness needsQuery strings and cookies aren’t ignored if they affect the responseCache keys are customized where neededGraphQL endpoints are excluded from cachingCDN rules are used to apply different settings for dynamic and static pathsWith the right setup, you can safely speed up even the most complex applications.Explore our step-by-step guide to setting rules for particular files in Gcore CDN.Discover Gcore CDN
How AI is reshaping the future of interactive streaming
Interactive streaming is entering a new era. Artificial intelligence is changing how live content is created, delivered, and experienced. Advances in real-time avatars, voice synthesis, deepfake rendering, and ultra-low-latency delivery are giving rise to new formats and expectations.Viewers don’t want to be passive audiences anymore. They want to interact, influence, and participate. For platforms that want to lead, the stakes are growing: innovate now, or fall behind.At Gcore, we support this shift with global streaming infrastructure built to handle responsive, AI-driven content at scale. This article explores how real-time interactivity is evolving and how you can prepare for what’s next.A new era for live contentStreaming used to mean watching someone else perform. Today, it’s becoming a conversation between the creator and the viewer. AI tools are making live content more reactive and personalized. A cooking show host can take ingredient requests from the audience and generate live recipes. A language tutor can assess student pronunciation and adjust the lesson plan on the spot. These aren’t speculative use cases—they’re already being piloted.Traditional cameras and presenters are no longer required. Some creators now use entirely digital hosts, powered by motion capture and generative AI. They can stream with multiple personas, switch backgrounds on command, or pause for mid-session translations. This evolution is not about replacing humans but creating new ways to engage that scale across time zones, languages, and platforms.Creating virtual influencersVirtual influencers are digital characters designed to build audiences, promote products, and hold conversations with followers. Unlike human influencers, they don’t get tired, change jobs, or need extensive re-shoots when messaging changes. They’re fully programmable, and the most successful ones are backed by teams of writers, animators, and brand strategists.For example, a skincare company might launch a virtual influencer with a consistent tone, recognizable look, and 24/7 availability. This persona could host product tutorials in the morning, respond to DMs during the day, and livestream reactions to customer feedback at night—all in the local language of the audience.These characters are not limited to influencer marketing. A virtual celebrity might appear as a guest at a live product launch or provide commentary during a sports event. The point is consistency, scalability, and control. Gcore’s global delivery network ensures these digital personas perform without delay, wherever the audience is located.Real-time avatars and AI-generated personasReal-time avatars use motion capture and emotion detection to mimic human behavior with digital models. A fitness instructor can appear as a stylized avatar while tracking their own real movements. A virtual talk show host can gesture, smile, or pause in response to viewer comments. These avatars do more than just look the part—they respond dynamically.AI-generated personas build on this foundation with language generation and decision-making. For instance, an edtech company could deploy a digital tutor that asks learners comprehension questions and adapts its tone based on their engagement level. In entertainment, a music artist might perform live as a virtual character that reflects audience mood through color shifts, dance patterns, or facial expression.These experiences require ultra-low latency. If the avatar lags, the illusion collapses. Gcore’s infrastructure supports the real-time input-output loop needed to make digital characters feel present and responsive.Deepfake technology for creative storytellingDeepfakes are often associated with misinformation, but the same tools can be used to build engaging, high-integrity content. The technology enables face-swapping, voice cloning, and character animation, all of which are powerful in live formats.A museum might use deepfake avatars of historical figures for interactive educational sessions. Visitors could ask questions, and Abraham Lincoln or Golda Meir might respond with historically grounded answers in real time. A brand could create a fictional spokesperson who evolves over time, appearing in product demos, ads, and livestreams. Deepfake technology also allows multilingual content without re-recording—the speaker’s lip movements and tone are modified to match each language.These applications raise legitimate ethical questions. Gcore’s streaming infrastructure includes controls to ensure the source and integrity of AI-generated content are traceable and secure. We provide the technical foundation that enables deepfake use cases without compromising trust.Synthetic voices and personalized audioAudio is often overlooked in discussions about AI streaming, but it’s just as important as video. Synthetic voices today can express subtle emotions and match speaking styles. They can whisper, shout, pause for dramatic effect, and even mimic regional accents.Let’s consider a news platform that offers interactive daily briefings. Viewers choose their preferred language, delivery style (casual, serious, humorous), and even the voice profile. The AI generates a personalized broadcast on the fly. In gaming, synthetic characters can offer encouragement, warn about strategy mistakes, or narrate progress—all without human voice actors.Gcore’s streaming infrastructure ensures that synthetic voice outputs are tightly synchronized with video, so users don’t experience out-of-sync dialogue or lag during back-and-forth exchanges.Increasing interactivity through feedback and participationInteractivity in streaming now goes far beyond comments or emoji reactions. It includes live polls that influence story outcomes, branching narratives based on audience behavior, and user-generated content layered into the broadcast.For example, a live talent show might allow viewers to suggest challenges mid-broadcast. An online classroom could let students vote on the next topic. A product launch might include a real-time Q&A where the host pulls questions from chat and answers them in the moment.All of these use cases rely on real-time data processing, behavior tracking, and adaptive rendering. Gcore’s platform handles the underlying complexity so that creators can focus on building experiences, not infrastructure.Why low latency is criticalInteractive content only works if it feels immediate. A delay of even a second can break immersion, especially when users are trying to influence the outcome or receive a response. Low latency is essential for real-time gaming, sports, interviews, and educational formats.A live trivia game with hundreds of participants won’t retain users if there’s a lag between the question appearing and the timer starting. A remote surgery training session won’t work if the avatar’s responses trail behind the mentor’s instructions. In each of these cases, timing is everything.Gcore Video Streaming minimizes buffering, supports high-resolution streams, and synchronizes data flows to keep participants engaged. Our infrastructure is built to support high-throughput, globally distributed audiences with the responsiveness that interactive formats demand.Preparing for what’s nextAI-generated content is no longer a novelty. It’s becoming a standard feature of modern streaming strategies. Whether you’re building a platform that features virtual influencers, immersive avatars, or interactive educational streams, the foundation matters. That foundation is infrastructure.If you’re planning the next generation of live content, we’re ready to help you bring it to life. At Gcore, we provide the performance, scale, and security to launch these experiences with confidence. Our streaming solutions are designed to support real-time content generation, audience interaction, and global delivery without compromise.Want to see interactive streaming in action? Learn how fan.at used Gcore Video Streaming to deliver ultra-low-latency streams and boost fan engagement with real-time features.Read the case study
What are captions and subtitles, and how do they work?
Subtitles and captions are essential to consuming video content today. But how do they work behind the scenes?Creating subtitles and captions involves a five-step process to ensure that your video’s spoken and auditory content is accurately and effectively conveyed. The five steps are transcription, correction, synchronization/spotting, translation, and simulation/display on screen.The whole process is usually managed using specialized subtitle or caption creator software.In this blog, we explain the five steps in more detail, what the end user sees, and how to choose the right caption/subtitle service for your needs.Step 1: TranscriptionSpoken content is transformed into a text-based format. Formats are different ways to implement the textual elements, depending on technical needs.Transcription creates the raw materials that will be refined in stages 2–4.Step 2: CorrectionCorrection enhances readability by improving the textual flow. Punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure are adjusted so that the user’s reading experience is seamless and doesn’t detract from the content.Step 3: Synchronization/spottingNext, the text and audio are aligned precisely. Each caption or subtitle’s timing is adjusted so it appears and disappears at the correct moment.Step 4: TranslationTranslation is required for content intended for consumption in multiple languages. During this stage, it’s important to consider format requirements and character limitations. For example, a caption that fits on two lines in English might require three in Spanish, and so in Spanish, one caption becomes two. As a result, additional synchronization might be necessary.Step 5: Simulation/display on screenFinally, the captions or subtitles need to be integrated onto the end user’s screen. Formatting issues might arise at this stage, requiring tweaks for an optimal user experience.How does the end user see subtitles and captions?After the technical process of creating captions and subtitles, the next step is understanding how these elements appear to the end user. The type of captions you choose can greatly impact the user experience, especially when considering accessibility, engagement, and clarity. Below, we break down the different options available and how they serve different viewing scenarios.Open captions: These are always visible to viewers and are a fixed part of the video. They’re popular, for example, for video installations in museums and employee training videos—cases where maximum accessibility is the key consideration when it comes to captions and/or subtitles.Closed captions: Viewers can turn these on or off based on preference. For instance, an online course might offer this feature, allowing learners to choose how to consume the content. Students could opt temporarily to turn on closed captions to note the spelling of a new term introduced during the course.Real-time captions: These are great for live events like webinars, where the text appears almost simultaneously as the words are spoken. They keep the audience engaged in real time without missing out on crucial points. For example, ambient noise like chatter in a sports bar might obscure commentary on a live TV basketball game. Real-time captions allow viewers to benefit from near-live commentary regardless of the bar’s noise levels or if the TV’s sound is muted.Burned-in subtitles: These are etched onto the video and cannot be turned off. A promotional video targeting a multilingual audience might use this feature so that everyone understands the message, regardless of their language preference.What to look for in captioning and subtitling servicesTo deliver high-quality captions and subtitles, it's important to choose a provider that offers key features for accuracy, efficiency, and audience engagement.Original language transcription: Accurate documentation of every spoken word in your video for unrivaled accuracy.Tailored translation: Localized content that integrates translations with cultural relevance, increasing resonance with diverse audiences.Alignment synchronization: Time-annotated subtitles, matching words perfectly to the on-screen action.Automatic SRT file generation: A simplified subtitling and captioning process through effortless file creation for a better user experience.Transform your videos with cutting-edge captions and subtitles from GcoreNo matter your video content needs, it’s essential to be aware of the best type of captions and subtitles for your audience’s needs. Choosing the right format ensures a smoother viewing experience, better accessibility, and stronger engagement across every platform.Gcore Video Streaming offers subtitles and closed captions to enhance users’ experience. Each feature within the subtitling and captioning toolkit is crafted to expand your video content’s reach and impact, catering to a multitude of use cases. Embedding captions is quick and easy, and AI-automated speech recognition also saves you time and money.Try Gcore's automated subtitle and caption solution for free
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