Overview

Highwinds Network Group, Inc., founded in 2002, provided content delivery network (CDN) services, cloud storage, IP transit, and colocation, serving clients like Blip.TV, Hudl, Valve, and CCP Games. Its RollingThunder network supported video streaming and gaming content delivery. Acquired by StackPath in 2017, Highwinds CDN was integrated into StackPath’s offerings but was discontinued in November 2023 as StackPath exited the CDN business. The service is now defunct, with no active operations.

Sunset timeline

  • 2002: Highwinds Network Group, Inc. founded in Winter Park, Florida, focusing on CDN and IP services.
  • 2017: Acquired by StackPath, merging Highwinds CDN with MaxCDN to form StackPath CDN.
  • 2023-08-24: StackPath announced the shutdown of StackPath CDN and legacy Highwinds CDN, effective November 22, 2023.
  • 2023-11-22: Highwinds CDN and StackPath CDN services officially ceased operations.
  • 2024-06-15: StackPath announced the closure of all services, including any remaining Highwinds-related assets, for liquidation.

Migration guidance

All Highwinds CDN customers should have migrated by November 2023, as services are no longer operational. Recommended alternatives include Cloudflare for cost-effective global delivery, Akamai for enterprise-grade CDN with strong security, or BunnyCDN for affordable static content delivery. CacheFly is suitable for high-traffic sites needing robust support, particularly in LATAM. CDN77 offers competitive pricing and security features. Customers should back up data and transition to these providers based on regional needs and budget.

History & Notes

Highwinds operated a global network with over 70 points of presence across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, known as RollingThunder. It secured significant funding, including $55 million in 2008 and $205 million in 2013, to expand its CDN infrastructure. After its 2017 acquisition by StackPath, Highwinds’ services were merged but faced integration challenges. Customer feedback on StackPath’s CDN, including Highwinds, highlighted declining support and price increases. Akamai acquired approximately 100 enterprise accounts from StackPath in 2023, but smaller customers needed to find alternatives independently.