Akamai Certification Interview Questions and Answers [2025]

Akamai CDN Fundamentals

1. What is the core function of Akamai's CDN?

Akamai's CDN accelerates content delivery by caching assets on global edge servers, reducing latency and origin server load. It uses intelligent routing and compression to ensure high availability, aligning with cloud-native observability for monitoring performance in multi-cloud DevOps environments.

2. Why is Akamai ideal for global delivery?

Akamai’s vast edge server network ensures low-latency access worldwide, using advanced caching and routing to handle traffic surges. It enhances security and integrates with DevOps tools, making it perfect for high-traffic applications in cloud-native architectures.

3. When should Akamai’s DDoS protection be enabled?

Enable DDoS protection for critical applications or during high-risk events like product launches. It absorbs attacks at the edge, ensuring uptime and integrating with automated security workflows in DevOps pipelines.

4. Where does Akamai integrate in multi-cloud setups?

• Edge Caching Layer: Stores content near users.
• Traffic Routing Engine: Optimizes cross-cloud paths.
• Security Gateway: Filters threats before origin.
• Load Balancer System: Distributes global traffic.
• Monitoring Integration Hub: Connects to observability tools.
• API Acceleration Module: Enhances cloud API performance.

5. Who manages Akamai configurations?

Network engineers, DevOps specialists, and security teams manage Akamai configurations, setting caching, security, and routing policies. They collaborate with platform teams to meet SLAs in cloud-native DevOps workflows.

6. Which protocols does Akamai support?

• HTTP/2 and HTTP/3: Supports multiplexed transfers.
• QUIC Protocol: Reduces connection setup time.
• TLS 1.3: Secures data in transit.
• WebSocket: Enables real-time applications.
• DNS over HTTPS: Enhances query privacy.
• gRPC Optimization: Boosts microservices communication.

7. How does Akamai optimize traffic routing?

Akamai uses real-time network intelligence to select optimal paths based on latency and congestion. Its Anycast IP and dynamic mapping ensure efficient delivery, minimizing delays in cloud-native applications.

8. What is Akamai’s EdgeConnect service?

EdgeConnect provides secure, optimized connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments using SD-WAN principles. It enhances performance, aligning with CI/CD pipelines for automated hybrid deployments in cloud-native setups.

• SD-WAN Integration: Routes traffic intelligently.
• Security Policy Enforcement: Applies consistent rules.
• Performance Monitoring: Tracks latency, packet loss.
• Cloud Connectivity: Links AWS, Azure, GCP.
• Automated Failover: Ensures high availability.
• Centralized Management: Simplifies configuration.

9. Why use Akamai for API acceleration?

Akamai accelerates APIs by caching responses, compressing payloads, and optimizing routing. It reduces latency for microservices, supporting high-throughput applications in cloud-native DevOps environments.

10. When is Akamai’s Ion implemented?

Implement Ion for web optimization, managing dynamic content with assembly and personalization. It’s ideal for e-commerce, integrating with CI/CD for automated performance tuning in cloud-native systems.

11. Where is Akamai’s edge platform deployed?

• Global Data Centers: Over 4,000 edge servers.
• Anycast Network Points: Routes to nearest node.
• Peering Exchange Hubs: Optimizes ISP connections.
• Cloud Provider POPs: Integrates with AWS, GCP.
• Metro Area Clusters: Enhances regional delivery.
• Private Network Links: Secures enterprise connectivity.

12. Who benefits from Akamai’s traffic management?

DevOps teams and network architects gain visibility and control over global traffic flows, ensuring reliable delivery and minimizing downtime in cloud-native applications.

13. Which features enhance Akamai’s security?

• Web Application Firewall: Blocks OWASP threats.
• DDoS Mitigation: Absorbs volumetric attacks.
• Bot Manager: Filters automated traffic.
• SSL/TLS Termination: Secures encrypted connections.
• Rate Limiting: Prevents API abuse.
• Access Control: Enforces Zero Trust policies.

14. How does Akamai manage content personalization?

Akamai assembles content at the edge using rules to tailor responses based on user data, reducing origin load and enhancing user experiences in cloud-native e-commerce applications.

15. What role does Akamai play in edge computing?

Akamai enables edge computing by executing logic at edge servers, reducing latency for dynamic tasks. It supports serverless functions, aligning with edge deployments in cloud-native environments.

16. Why is Akamai’s Anycast network critical?

Akamai’s Anycast network routes traffic to the nearest edge server, minimizing latency and absorbing DDoS attacks. It ensures high availability and performance for cloud-native applications.

Akamai Property Configuration

17. Why configure caching rules in Akamai?

Caching rules reduce origin requests, improving latency and scalability. Using TTL and behaviors to control freshness, they support high-traffic applications in cloud-native DevOps workflows.

18. When should you use Property Manager?

Use Property Manager to configure delivery behaviors like caching and routing. It’s essential for customizing edge logic, integrating with CI/CD for automated updates in cloud-native systems.

19. Where are Akamai properties defined?

• Akamai Control Center: Manages property configurations.
• Terraform Configuration Files: Defines properties as code.
• Git Repositories: Tracks property versions.
• API Endpoint Calls: Programmatic property updates.
• CI/CD Pipeline Scripts: Automates property deployments.
• Kubernetes Manifests: Integrates with clusters.

20. Who configures Akamai properties?

Network engineers configure properties, setting caching and security behaviors. They collaborate with DevOps to ensure alignment with SLAs in cloud-native environments.

21. Which behaviors optimize Akamai delivery?

• Compression Behaviors: Reduces payload sizes.
• Caching TTL Settings: Controls content expiry.
• Routing Optimizations: Selects fastest paths.
• Header Manipulation: Customizes response headers.
• Origin Shield: Protects origin servers.
• Error Handling: Manages response codes.

22. How do you test Akamai property changes?

Test property changes in staging environments using tools like curl to simulate traffic. Validate behaviors, monitor metrics, and deploy via CI/CD for reliability in cloud-native ecosystems.

23. Why use Akamai’s Edge DNS?

Edge DNS provides fast, secure resolution with DDoS protection and DNSSEC. It optimizes global traffic, ensuring high availability for cloud-native applications.

24. When would you enable DNSSEC in Akamai?

Enable DNSSEC to secure DNS responses against spoofing, ensuring data integrity. It’s critical for regulated industries, integrating with automated DNS management in DevOps workflows.

25. Where are Edge DNS configurations stored?

• Akamai Control Center: Manages DNS records.
• Terraform Configuration Files: Defines records as code.
• Git Repositories: Tracks DNS versions.
• API Endpoint Calls: Programmatic DNS updates.
• CI/CD Pipeline Scripts: Automates DNS configs.
• Kubernetes Manifests: Integrates with clusters.

26. Who manages Edge DNS settings?

Network engineers manage Edge DNS, configuring records and DNSSEC. They collaborate with DevOps to ensure uptime and performance in cloud-native environments.

27. Which metrics track Edge DNS performance?

• dns_queries_total: Counts DNS request volume.
• dns_resolution_latency: Measures query response time.
• dns_cache_hit_ratio: Tracks cache efficiency.
• dns_ddos_mitigated: Logs blocked attacks.
• dns_error_rate: Monitors resolution failures.
• dns_traffic_by_zone: Analyzes zone distribution.

28. How do you debug DNS resolution issues?

Debug DNS issues by checking records, analyzing logs, and testing in staging. Update via Git and CI/CD to ensure reliable resolution in cloud-native applications.

29. What is the impact of misconfigured caching?

Misconfigured caching increases origin load, slowing delivery and raising costs. Tune rules, test in staging, and update via Git to optimize performance in cloud-native workflows.

30. Why use Akamai’s mPulse for monitoring?

mPulse tracks real-user performance metrics like page load times, identifying bottlenecks. It optimizes user experiences, integrating with DevOps for cloud-native application monitoring.

31. When should you analyze mPulse data?

Analyze mPulse data during performance degradation or after deployments to detect issues. It ensures optimal user experiences, aligning with CI/CD monitoring in DevOps workflows.

32. Where are mPulse data stored?

• Akamai Control Center: Displays performance dashboards.
• External BI Tools: Integrates with Tableau.
• Prometheus Metrics Endpoints: Exposes mPulse data.
• Grafana Visualization Panels: Shows real-time metrics.
• Cloud Logging Services: Centralizes for analysis.
• API Query Responses: Retrieves custom data.

Akamai Security Fundamentals

33. Why is Kona Site Defender effective?

Kona Site Defender offers WAF and DDoS protection, filtering threats at the edge with machine learning-based anomaly detection. It ensures secure applications in cloud-native environments.

34. When should you enable Bot Manager?

Enable Bot Manager for sites facing scraping or automated abuse, using behavioral analysis to block malicious bots. It protects resources, integrating with DevOps security pipelines.

35. Where are security rules configured?

• Akamai Control Center: Defines WAF rules.
• Terraform Configuration Files: Manages as code.
• API Endpoint Calls: Programmatic rule updates.
• Git Repositories: Tracks rule versions.
• CI/CD Pipeline Scripts: Automates security configs.
• Kubernetes Manifests: Integrates with clusters.

36. Who configures Akamai security rules?

Security engineers configure WAF and bot management rules, collaborating with DevOps to ensure compliance and performance in cloud-native architectures.

37. Which threats does Kona block?

• SQL Injection Attacks: Prevents database exploits.
• Cross-Site Scripting: Blocks script injections.
• DDoS Volumetric Attacks: Absorbs traffic surges.
• Bot Scraping Attempts: Filters automated access.
• API Abuse Patterns: Throttles excessive calls.
• Zero-Day Vulnerabilities: Uses behavioral detection.

38. How do you test security rule effectiveness?

Test security rules using penetration testing tools and simulated attacks in staging. Validate with CI/CD pipelines to ensure protection without blocking legitimate traffic.

39. What is Akamai’s Prolexic service?

Prolexic provides advanced DDoS mitigation, using scrubbing centers to absorb attacks. It ensures uptime for critical applications, supporting cloud-native security strategies.

40. Why use Akamai for API security?

Akamai secures APIs with rate limiting, WAF rules, and threat intelligence, preventing abuse. It ensures reliable delivery for microservices in cloud-native DevOps environments.

41. When should you use App & API Protector?

Use App & API Protector for comprehensive security, combining WAF and bot management. It’s ideal for APIs facing sophisticated threats in cloud-native workflows.

42. Where are threat intelligence feeds integrated?

• Akamai Control Center: Imports feeds for rules.
• External SIEM Systems: Correlates with security data.
• Prometheus Metrics Endpoints: Exposes threat metrics.
• Grafana Dashboard Visuals: Displays real-time threats.
• Cloud Logging Services: Centralizes for analysis.
• API Query Responses: Retrieves feed updates.

43. Who monitors Akamai security events?

Security operations teams monitor events, analyzing logs and metrics for threats. They integrate with DevOps for automated responses in secure environments.

44. Which metrics track security performance?

• security_requests_blocked_total: Counts blocked threats.
• security_rule_triggered_count: Tracks rule activations.
• security_latency_seconds: Measures rule processing.
• security_bot_score_distribution: Analyzes bot detection.
• security_ip_blocked_total: Logs blocked IPs.
• security_rate_limit_exceeded: Tracks throttling events.

45. How do you debug security false positives?

Debug false positives by reviewing logs, adjusting rule thresholds, and testing in staging. Update via Git and CI/CD to balance security and usability in applications.

46. What is the impact of misconfigured security rules?

Misconfigured rules block legitimate traffic or allow attacks, risking downtime or breaches. Review logs, test in staging, and update via Git to ensure accuracy.

47. Why implement rate limiting in Akamai?

Rate limiting prevents API abuse and DDoS attacks by throttling requests based on IP or token. It ensures resource availability for high-traffic cloud-native applications.

48. When do you adjust rate limiting thresholds?

Adjust thresholds during traffic surges or false positives to balance access and security. Test in staging and deploy via CI/CD for optimized cloud-native workflows.

Akamai Performance Optimization

49. Why monitor cache hit ratios?

Monitoring cache hit ratios ensures efficient content delivery, reducing origin load. It identifies optimization opportunities, aligning with DevOps for high-performance applications.

50. When should you purge Akamai’s cache?

Purge cache when updating content or fixing corrupted assets. Use selective purges for URLs or full purges for sites, ensuring freshness in real-time DevOps.

51. Where are cache policies defined?

• Akamai Control Center: Sets cache levels.
• Property Manager Interface: Defines custom rules.
• Terraform Configuration Files: Manages as code.
• Git Repositories: Tracks policy versions.
• API Endpoint Calls: Programmatic cache updates.
• CI/CD Pipeline Scripts: Automates cache policies.

52. Who tunes Akamai cache settings?

Performance engineers tune cache settings, analyzing hit ratios and latency metrics. They collaborate with DevOps to meet SLAs in cloud-native environments.

53. Which behaviors improve caching performance?

• Compression Behaviors: Reduces payload sizes.
• Caching TTL Settings: Controls content expiry.
• Routing Optimizations: Selects fastest paths.
• Header Manipulation: Customizes response headers.
• Origin Shield: Protects origin servers.
• Error Handling: Manages response codes.

54. How do you debug cache misses?

Debug cache misses by checking headers, reviewing rules, and analyzing logs. Test configurations in staging and update via Git to optimize hit ratios in deployments.

55. What is Akamai’s mPulse used for?

mPulse provides real-user monitoring, tracking metrics like page load times. It identifies bottlenecks, optimizing user experiences in cloud-native web applications.

56. Why integrate mPulse with CI/CD?

Integrate mPulse with CI/CD to track performance changes in builds, alerting on regressions. It ensures continuous optimization in cloud-native DevOps workflows.

57. When would you analyze mPulse metrics?

Analyze mPulse metrics during performance issues or post-deployment to detect regressions. It ensures optimal user experiences, aligning with cloud-native workflows.

58. Where are mPulse data analyzed?

• Akamai Control Center: Displays performance dashboards.
• External BI Tools: Integrates with Tableau.
• Prometheus Metrics Endpoints: Exposes mPulse data.
• Grafana Visualization Panels: Shows real-time metrics.
• Cloud Logging Services: Centralizes for analysis.
• API Query Responses: Retrieves custom data.

59. Who analyzes mPulse metrics?

Performance analysts review mPulse metrics to identify bottlenecks and user issues, collaborating with DevOps to optimize applications in cloud-native environments.

60. Which mPulse features aid optimization?

• Real-User Monitoring: Tracks actual experiences.
• Session Replay Tools: Replays user sessions.
• Performance Scoring: Grades application speed.
• Anomaly Alerting: Notifies on degradation.
• RUM Integration: Combines with synthetic tests.
• Custom Dashboards: Tailors to team needs.

61. How do you handle cache purge delays?

Handle purge delays by using API-driven purges, monitoring status, and testing in staging. Optimize purge scope and update via Git to ensure freshness in deployments.

62. What is the impact of low cache hit ratios?

Low cache hit ratios increase origin load, slowing delivery and raising costs. Tune policies, test in staging, and deploy via CI/CD to improve performance.

Akamai Load Balancing and Traffic Management

63. Why use Akamai for load balancing?

Akamai’s load balancing distributes traffic across servers, ensuring uptime and performance. It supports health checks and failover, optimizing resources in cloud-native applications.

64. When do you enable geo-steering?

Enable geo-steering to route traffic based on user location, reducing latency. It’s ideal for global applications, integrating with secure DevOps for automated updates.

65. Where are load balancing rules defined?

• Akamai Control Center: Configures load balancers.
• Terraform Configuration Files: Manages as code.
• API Endpoint Calls: Programmatic rule updates.
• Git Repositories: Tracks rule versions.
• CI/CD Pipeline Scripts: Automates balancer configs.
• Kubernetes Manifests: Integrates with clusters.

66. Who configures load balancing policies?

Network engineers configure load balancing, setting health checks and failover rules. They align with DevOps to ensure scalability in cloud-native environments.

67. Which settings enhance load balancing?

• Health Check Intervals: Monitors server availability.
• Failover Pool Configs: Routes to backup servers.
• Geo-Steering Policies: Optimizes by location.
• Session Affinity: Maintains user sessions.
• Weighted Traffic: Balances load dynamically.
• Proximity Routing: Minimizes latency.

68. How do you debug load balancing issues?

Debug load balancing by analyzing health check logs, verifying server pools, and testing in staging. Update rules via Git and CI/CD for reliable deployments.

69. What is Global Traffic Management (GTM)?

GTM optimizes routing across data centers, ensuring low-latency delivery. It supports high-availability applications, aligning with cloud-native DevOps strategies.

70. Why monitor load balancing metrics?

Monitoring load balancing metrics ensures optimal traffic distribution and uptime. It detects failover issues, aligning with DevOps for reliable cloud-native applications.

71. When do you adjust load balancing rules?

Adjust rules during traffic spikes or server failures to optimize distribution. Test in staging and deploy via CI/CD to ensure performance in DevOps configurations.

72. Where are load balancing logs stored?

• Akamai Log Delivery: Sends to SIEMs.
• External Log Aggregators: Integrates with Splunk.
• Prometheus Metrics Endpoints: Exposes traffic data.
• Grafana Dashboard Visuals: Displays real-time logs.
• Kubernetes Log Systems: Captures containerized logs.
• Cloud Logging Services: Centralizes for analysis.

73. Who optimizes load balancing performance?

Network engineers optimize load balancing, tuning health checks and weights. They monitor metrics, ensuring efficient traffic flow in cloud-native DevOps environments.

74. Which metrics track load balancing?

• load_balancer_requests_total: Counts traffic volume.
• load_balancer_latency_seconds: Measures response times.
• load_balancer_failover_events: Tracks failover triggers.
• load_balancer_healthcheck_failures: Logs server issues.
• load_balancer_traffic_by_pool: Analyzes pool distribution.
• load_balancer_geo_steering: Monitors location-based routing.

75. How do you scale load balancing?

Scale load balancing by adding server pools, tuning weights, and load-testing in staging. Monitor metrics and update via CI/CD for performance in high-traffic scenarios.

76. What is the impact of misconfigured load balancers?

Misconfigured load balancers cause uneven traffic or downtime, degrading performance. Review configs, test in staging, and update via Git for reliability.

Akamai Video and Media Delivery

77. Why use Akamai for video delivery?

Akamai optimizes video with adaptive bitrate, edge caching, and global routing, ensuring smooth playback and reduced buffering in cloud-native media applications.

78. When do you use Adaptive Media Delivery?

Use Adaptive Media Delivery for dynamic video streaming, adjusting quality based on bandwidth. It’s ideal for live events, integrating with DevOps workflows for automated scaling.

79. Where are video configs defined?

• Akamai Control Center: Configures streaming behaviors.
• Terraform Configuration Files: Manages as code.
• Git Repositories: Tracks video policy versions.
• API Endpoint Calls: Programmatic config updates.
• CI/CD Pipeline Scripts: Automates video deployments.
• Kubernetes Manifests: Integrates with clusters.

80. Who optimizes video delivery?

Media engineers optimize video delivery, tuning bitrate and caching rules. They collaborate with DevOps to ensure smooth streaming in cloud-native media workflows.

81. Which metrics track video performance?

• video_bitrate_average: Measures quality levels.
• video_buffering_events: Logs buffering incidents.
• video_startup_time: Tracks initial load delays.
• video_traffic_by_quality: Analyzes resolution distribution.
• video_error_rate: Monitors playback failures.
• video_cache_hit_ratio: Tracks edge caching efficiency.

82. How do you scale video streaming?

Scale video streaming by adjusting bitrate ladders, enabling edge caching, and load-testing in staging. Monitor metrics and update via CI/CD for performance.

83. What is the impact of poor video optimization?

Poor optimization causes buffering and high abandonment rates, degrading user experience. Tune settings, test in staging, and update via Git for smooth delivery.

84. Why use Akamai for live streaming?

Akamai supports live streaming with low-latency delivery, adaptive bitrate, and global edge caching. It ensures reliable broadcasts for cloud-native media applications.

85. When do you configure adaptive bitrate?

Configure adaptive bitrate for variable network conditions, ensuring smooth playback. It’s critical for live events, aligning with scalable DevOps practices.

86. Where are live streaming logs stored?

• Akamai Log Delivery: Sends to SIEMs.
• External Log Aggregators: Integrates with Splunk.
• Prometheus Metrics Endpoints: Exposes streaming data.
• Grafana Dashboard Visuals: Displays real-time logs.
• Kubernetes Log Systems: Captures containerized logs.
• Cloud Logging Services: Centralizes for analysis.

Akamai Troubleshooting and Best Practices

87. Why monitor Akamai metrics in production?

Monitoring metrics detects anomalies like cache misses or attack spikes, ensuring performance and security. It supports proactive resolution in cloud-native DevOps environments.

88. When should you escalate Akamai issues?

Escalate issues when metrics show persistent latency, cache misses, or security breaches. Use incident tools and CI/CD alerts for quick resolution in DevOps workflows.

89. Where are Akamai logs analyzed?

• Akamai Log Delivery: Sends to SIEMs.
• External Log Aggregators: Integrates with Splunk.
• Prometheus Metrics Endpoints: Exposes performance data.
• Grafana Dashboard Visuals: Displays real-time logs.
• Kubernetes Log Systems: Captures containerized logs.
• Cloud Logging Services: Centralizes for analysis.

90. Who troubleshoots Akamai issues?

SREs troubleshoot issues, analyzing latency and security metrics. They collaborate with DevOps to update configs via Git, ensuring optimal delivery in cloud-native systems.

91. Which tools aid Akamai troubleshooting?

• Akamai Diagnostic Tools: Tests connectivity, DNS.
• Prometheus and Grafana: Visualizes performance metrics.
• Terraform Plan Outputs: Validates config changes.
• CI/CD Pipeline Logs: Tracks deployment issues.
• Splunk Log Analysis: Correlates security events.
• Akamai Log Delivery: Streams logs to SIEMs.

92. How do you handle SSL/TLS issues?

Handle SSL/TLS issues by verifying certificates, enabling HSTS, and checking cipher suites. Test in staging and update via CI/CD for secure connections in cloud-native DevOps.

93. What are best practices for Akamai configs?

Automate configs with Terraform, test in staging, and monitor metrics. Use Git for version control and CI/CD for updates, ensuring reliability in cloud-native systems.

94. Why use canary deployments with Akamai?

Canary deployments test configs like WAF rules or cache settings on partial traffic, minimizing risks. They ensure stable rollouts in cloud-native DevOps practices.

95. When should you rollback Akamai changes?

Rollback changes when metrics show degraded performance or security issues post-deployment. Use Git to revert configs and CI/CD to redeploy for stability.

96. How does Akamai support API security?

Akamai secures APIs with rate limiting, WAF rules, and threat intelligence, preventing abuse. It ensures reliable, secure API delivery in cloud-native microservices environments.

97. What role does Akamai play in microservices?

Akamai secures and optimizes microservices with WAF, load balancing, and caching, ensuring low-latency communication in cloud-native DevOps environments.

98. Why integrate Akamai with observability tools?

Integrating Akamai with observability tools provides end-to-end visibility, correlating edge metrics with backend performance. It supports proactive issue resolution in DevOps.

99. When do you use AppTransaction X-Ray?

Use AppTransaction X-Ray to troubleshoot slow transactions, analyzing end-to-end paths. It’s ideal for complex applications, integrating with DevOps certification workflows.

100. Where are X-Ray data analyzed?

• Akamai Control Center: Displays transaction dashboards.
• External BI Tools: Integrates with Tableau.
• Prometheus Metrics Endpoints: Exposes X-Ray data.
• Grafana Visualization Panels: Shows real-time metrics.
• Cloud Logging Services: Centralizes for analysis.
• API Query Responses: Retrieves custom data.

101. Who analyzes X-Ray metrics?

Performance analysts analyze X-Ray metrics, identifying transaction bottlenecks. They collaborate with DevOps to optimize applications in cloud-native environments.

102. Which X-Ray features aid troubleshooting?

• End-to-End Tracing: Maps transaction paths.
• Bottleneck Detection: Identifies slow components.
• Log Correlation: Links metrics to events.
• Anomaly Alerting: Notifies on degradation.
• RUM Integration: Combines with user data.
• Custom Dashboards: Tailors to team needs.

103. How do you optimize Akamai for microservices?

Optimize microservices with Akamai by configuring WAF rules, load balancing, and caching. Test in staging, monitor metrics, and update via CI/CD for performance.

104. What is the impact of misconfigured Akamai properties?

Misconfigured properties cause performance degradation or security risks, impacting user experience. Review configs, test in staging, and update via Git to ensure reliability in real-time DevOps.