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updatedAt: 2026-03-01T18:59:09.000Z
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# API concepts

This section describes the conceptual objects you deal with when interacting with this API, and provides pointers to where you can learn more.

* **Stream**. A URL for a live streaming event. You can create a stream, get a list of streams, retrieve stream details, and edit or delete a stream. See the [Stream](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/get-streams) object type for details.

* **Origin**. The source location for your live streaming media. You can directly push
  content from encoders into the origin through the Akamai ingest server, then pull the content through a CDN. See the [Origin](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/get-msl-origin-origins) object type for details.

* **Contract**. Contains information about MSL contracts for your account. See the [Contract](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/get-contracts) object type for details.

* **CDN providers**. Returns a list of CDN providers. See the [CDN](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/get-cdns) object type for details.

* **CP codes**. Displays the CP codes tied to the MSL contract. A CP code is a unique identifier for reporting, billing, and monitoring traffic served over the Akamai network. See the [Cp codes](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/get-cpcodes) object type for details.

* **Keys**. Shared keys with partners enable authentication between
  the Origin Shield and the Adaptive Media Delivery (AMD) configuration. See [Generate a key](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/get-generate-key) for details.

* **Authentication**. If you enable HTTP digest authentication for your stream, you can update the `username` and `password` combinations to prevent unauthorized access to your streaming media content. You're limited to two authentication keys for a given stream, only one of which will be active. Before deleting a previous authentication set, ensure that you update your encoder to avoid inadvertently making your stream inaccessible. See [Rotate HTTP digest authentication settings](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/rotate-http-digest-authentication-settings) for details.

# Sibling pages

* [Media Services Live 4 Stream Provisioning API](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/api.md)
* [API summary](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/api-summary.md)
* [Get started](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/get-started.md)
* [API workflow](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/api-workflow.md)
* [Archive stream members](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/archive-stream-members.md)
* [Rate limiting](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/resource-limiting.md)
* [Errors](https://techdocs.akamai.com/msl/reference/errors.md)