---
updatedAt: 2026-03-01T18:30:22.000Z
agentTools:
  siteIndex: https://techdocs.akamai.com/llms.txt
  projectIndex: https://techdocs.akamai.com/edge-hostnames/llms.txt
---

# Key concepts and terms

Here you can find descriptions of concepts that can help you work with edge hostnames.

# Types of hostnames

## Hostname

The domain name together with its subdomain that users enter into a browser.\
![The hostname example shown is www.example.com](https://techdocs.akamai.com/edge-hostnames/img/hostname-domains-example-v1.jpg)

* **Subdomain**. The domain name prefix. One hostname can have multiple subdomains. For example, `www.example.com` or `m.example.com`.
* **Domain or domain name**. The human-readable part of a web address that users enter into a browser.
* **Top-level domain**. The last part of a domain name, for example `com` or `uk`.

## Edge hostname

The hostname you establish using the ​Akamai​ content delivery network (CDN) to map requests for your content to ​Akamai​ edge servers. You can use an edge hostname as a property hostname or origin hostname depending on how you decide to use ​Akamai​'s CDN. An example of an edge hostname is `www.example.com.edgesuite.net`. An edge hostname includes an additional domain that designates it to ​Akamai​ servers. `edgesuite.net` is one of the edge hostname domains. See [Edge hostname domains](https://techdocs.akamai.com/edge-hostnames/docs/edge-hn-terminology#edge-hostname-domains) for the complete list of edge hostname domains.

## Origin hostname

The hostname that resolves to your origin server’s address. ​Akamai​ edge servers retrieve content from this origin address.

## Property hostname

The hostname where your users access your site, app, or content. Property hostnames might also include variants with different subdomains or top-level domains. For example `images.example.com`, `mobile.example.com`, or `www.example.jp`. In Property Manager, the hostname associated to your property.

# Edge hostname domains

Learn about the available edge hostname domains and their descriptions.

| Domain                  | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| :---------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `edgesuite.net`         | Standard TLS hostname or Plain HTTP hostname. It supports HTTPS delivery using your own property hostname. It uses Standard TLS to serve non-PCI compliant traffic over HTTP or HTTPS. You need to use the Certificate Provisioning Service to [provision a Standard TLS certificate](https://techdocs.akamai.com/cps) for that hostname, otherwise it's only accessible via HTTP. |
| `edgesuite-staging.net` | Staging network edge hostname for Standard TLS. It's created automatically for `edgesuite.net` domains, for example, `www.example.com.edgesuite-staging.net`. Use this domain to test your content on the ​Akamai​ staging network (ESN).                                                                                                                              |
| `edgekey.net`           | Enhanced TLS hostname. It uses Enhanced TLS to serve PCI-compliant HTTPS traffic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| `edgekey-staging.net`   | Staging network edge hostname for Enhanced TLS. It's created automatically for `edgekey.net` domains, for example, `www.example.com.edgekey-staging.net`. Use this domain to test your content on the ​Akamai​ staging network (ESN).                                                                                                                                  |
| `akamaized.net`         | Shared Certificate hostname. It uses the ​Akamai​ Shared Certificate to serve non-PCI compliant HTTPS traffic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

# Levels of security

See [edge certificates and comparison of security offerings](https://techdocs.akamai.com/property-mgr/docs/prepare-your-edge-certificates) in Property Manager to learn more about security levels and certificates.

## ​Akamai​ Deployment Networks

Enhanced TLS and Standard TLS:

* **Enhanced TLS**. ​Akamai​ network that provides the TLS and HTTPS functionality architected for sites and content with high-assurance security requirements, such as PCI compliance, using customer branded certificates.
* **Standard TLS**. ​Akamai​ network that provides the TLS and HTTPS functionality and uses customer branded certificates supporting SNI compatible devices.

## ​Akamai​ Shared Certificate

Enables secure delivery over HTTPS using a proprietary certificate maintained by ​Akamai​.

# Sibling pages

* [Welcome to Edge Hostnames](https://techdocs.akamai.com/edge-hostnames/docs/welcome-edge-hn-editor.md)
* [Manage edge hostnames](https://techdocs.akamai.com/edge-hostnames/docs/manage-edge-hns.md)