Request Format

A requestRefers to the request from a client to a server for an asset. A request consists of a set of headers and a body sent from a client. Header data and the body define the requested content. A request for CDN content must be performed using a CDN or edge CNAME URL. This type of request is sent from a client to an edge server. If the requested content is not found, then our edge servers will forward this request to an origin server. commonly contains the following components:

Our edge servers will typically forward the entire request to an origin server (e.g., customer origin serverRefers to a web server external to our network that will serve as the source from which content will be delivered. This type of web server must be defined in a customer origin configuration.).

Rules Engine may be configured to override the default CDN behavior and alter the request sent to the origin server.

Request Method

Every HTTP request must include instructions on how the request should be handled. This is known as an HTTP request methodIndicates the type of action that a server should perform on the asset identified in the request URL. Common HTTP request methods are GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS, TRACE, and CONNECT.. The default manner in which our CDN service handles these request methods is described below.

Request Method Cache?Indicates whether the CDN may generate cached content for requests that leverage the request method in question. Proxy?Indicates whether the CDN may forward requests that leverage the request method in question to an origin server. Request Size LimitIndicates the maximum allowed size of the request. Both request headers and the request body are included when calculating this size limitation.

Response Size LimitIndicates the maximum allowed size of the response. Both response headers and the response body are included when calculating this size limitation.

GETThis popular request method is used to retrieve information from a server. A GET request informs the server that the asset at the requested URL should be delivered to the requester.

Yes

Yes

Request headers onlyA request body should not be included when submitting a GET request.

UnlimitedMaximum file size is limited by the client's OS.

All other request methods (e.g., POST, PUT, and DELETE).

No

Yes

(Customer Origin Server Only)

100 MB

UnlimitedMaximum file size is limited by the client's OS.

By default, only GET requests are eligible for caching. Use the Cacheable HTTP Methods feature to allow caching for POST and/or PUT requests.

Your CDN setup, including security measures, may place further restrictions on when content will be cached or proxied.

Request Protocol Version

The CDN service communicates using the HTTP protocol version (i.e., HTTP/1.0 or HTTP/1.1) defined in the request.

The HTTP/2.0 protocol version is only used for the communication between the client and the edge of our network.
Learn more.

Request URL

Requests that are proxied through our network to an origin server will include the entire CDN or edge CNAME URL submitted by the requester. If the requested URL includes a query stringRefers to data that is appended to a URL (e.g., "?Data=xyz" in the following request: http://www.server.com/index.html?Data=xyz). This information may be used in a variety of ways. Our CDN allows each query string variation of a URL to generate a unique cached asset. Additionally, query string information may be stored in our log files., then it will also be forwarded to the origin server.

Request URLs, with the exception of the schemeFor the purpose of HTTP traffic, it identifies whether traffic should use the HTTP or HTTPS protocol. The syntax for a URL scheme consists of the protocol, a colon, and two forward slashes (e.g., http:// or https://). and domain name, are case-sensitive.

Request Headers

By default, all request headers may be forwarded to the origin server. Our edge servers may also add or overwrite the following reserved request headers:

Request Header Description Example

User-Agent

Identifies or describes the software agent that submitted the request. The value that will be passed to an origin server varies according to request type.

Request types:

  • Standard HTTP/HTTPS Requests: Our edge servers will forward the User-Agent request header value passed by the software agent (e.g., web browser) that submitted the request.
  • Load Requests: Requests to load content may be submitted via the MCC or our REST API. An edge server from each POP will submit a request for that content to the web server where it is hosted. The User-Agent request header will be set to:

    ECLoadToEdge/$Revision$
  • Cache Fill Requests: A request to initiate a background fetch of a partially cached asset will include a User-Agent request header set to:

    EdgeAccel/2.0

    Learn more about partial cache sharing.

EdgeAccel/2.0

Via

Identifies the edge server that proxied the request to an origin server.

HTTP/1.1 ECS (dca/1A2B)

X-Forwarded-For

Indicates the requester's IP address.

10.10.10.10

X-Forwarded-Proto

Indicates the request's protocol.

http

X-Host

Indicates the request's hostname.

cdn.mydomain.com

X-Midgress

Indicates whether the request was proxied through an additional CDN server (e.g., edge server to Origin Shield server or edge server to ADN Gateway server).

This header will only be added to the request when midgress traffic takes place.

1

Host

Identifies the host and the port where the requested content may be found.

marketing.mydomain.com:80

X-Gateway-List

ADN

Identifies the failover list of ADN Gateway servers assigned to a customer origin.

Origin Shield

Indicates the set of Origin Shield server(s) assigned to a customer origin.

icn1,hhp1,hnd1

X-EC-Name

Request headers that start with "X-EC" (e.g., X-EC-Tag, X-EC-Uuid, and X-EC-Session-ID) are reserved for use by the CDN.

waf-production

Via Request Header Format

The format through which the Via request header will identify an edge server is indicated below.

The terms used in the above request header syntax are defined below:

Example

A sample Via request header is provided below.

Via: HTTP/1.1 ECD (dca/1A2B)

Host Request Header

Our edge servers will overwrite the Host header when both of the following conditions are true:

The Host request header will be overwritten to reflect the value defined in the HTTP Host Header option.

If the customer origin's HTTP Host Header option is set to blank, then the Host request header submitted by the requester will be forwarded to that customer origin server.

X-Gateway-List Request Header

An edge server will add/overwrite the X-Gateway-List request header when either of the following conditions are met:

Request Body

Requests that are proxied through our network to an origin server will include a request bodyIdentifies the set of data sent from the requester. The most common usage of a request body for CDN traffic occurs with POST requests. except if either of the following conditions are true:

More Information