Akamai Connected Cloud is a cloud infrastructure platform under Akamai Technologies, a globally renowned CDN service provider. Originally known as Linode (founded in 2003), it was acquired and upgraded by Akamai in 2022. Leveraging Akamai's global edge network and Linode's IaaS technical strengths, it delivers high-performance, low-latency server solutions.
The platform primarily offers cloud servers, bare-metal servers, managed Kubernetes, and edge computing nodes, complemented by object storage, load balancing, and private networking services. It caters to individual developers, startups, SMBs, and large enterprises, supporting diverse scenarios including web application hosting, edge computing, development and testing, and game servers.
1. Akamai Connected Cloud Overview
- Service Provider Name: Akamai Connected Cloud (formerly Linode)
- English Name: Akamai Connected Cloud
- Founded: 2003 (originally established as Linode), acquired by Akamai and rebranded in 2022
- Headquarters Address: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (Akamai Headquarters)
- Official website address:https://www.akamai.com/
- Server Types: Cloud Servers (Linode Instance), Dedicated Servers (Dedicated CPU), Managed Kubernetes (Linode Kubernetes Engine), Edge Computing Servers (Edge Compute), High-Memory Cloud Servers
- Coverage Areas: North America (United States, Canada) Europe (United Kingdom, Germany, France, Netherlands, etc.) Asia-Pacific (Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Australia, etc.) South America (Brazil) Africa (South Africa)
- Primary user types: Individual developers, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, large enterprises, game developers, edge computing users
- Reference Pricing: Cloud servers start at $5/month. High-memory cloud servers start at $12/month. Bare metal servers start at $100/month.
- Trial Offer: New users receive $100 in credits upon registration (valid for 60 days), with free testing available for all core server products.
2. Akamai Connected Cloud Product Types and Plans
| Product Type | Package/Instance Category | Typical Configuration Example | Monthly Price (USD) | IP and Network Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared CPU | Nanode / Entry-level | 1 virtual CPU, 1GB RAM, 25GB SSD | $5.00 | 1 free static IPv4 address; 1TB free traffic package |
| Standard (Shared) | 2 virtual CPUs, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD | $24.00 | Includes a 4TB data package; IPv6 addresses are provided free of charge. | |
| Dedicated CPU | Universal (G8 AMD) | 2 virtual CPUs, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD | $36.00 起 | Dedicated CPU cores; data plans typically start at 4TB |
| Premium | Latest AMD EPYC, 4GB+ RAM | $43.00 起 | Optimized for enterprise-grade consistent performance; supports dual-stack IP | |
| High Memory | Memory-optimized | Dual-core virtual CPU, 24GB RAM, 20GB SSD | $ 60.00 起 | Dedicated CPU; optimized for large-memory applications such as databases |
| GPU instance | The RTX 4000 Series graphics cards are now available. | 1 GPU, 20GB VRAM, 4 virtual CPUs | $350.00 起 | Hourly billing (approx. $0.52/hour); suitable for parallel processing |
| Managed Kubernetes (LKE) | Managed Cluster | At least 1 compute node | Charged per node | Control Plane FreeHigh Availability (HA) upgrade to $60/month |
| Storage Services | Object Storage (S3) | 250GB storage + 1TB data plan | $5.00Fixed | Excess Storage: 1TB to 4TB at $0.02/GB; Inbound Traffic: Free |
- Price Stability: Despite a round of price increases for 20% in 2023, its most fundamental... Nanode (1 TB of storage and 4 TB of bandwidth per month) The package will remain at its original price in 2025, serving as the top choice for beginners.
- IP Policy: Each instance includes by default 1 public IPv4 addressIf additional IPv4 addresses are required, the fee has been increased to approximately 1TB 4TB $2.00/monthIPv6 is always provided free of charge.
- Traffic Quota Advantages: Compared to AWS/GCP, Akamai offers significantly larger traffic packages. The cost for traffic exceeding the package is extremely low (only 1TB 4TB 0.005/GBApproximately per TB (1TB, 4TB, 5TB).
- Premium Instance: In 2025, Akamai will actively promote the adoption of Premium instances featuring the latest AMD Zen 5 architecture, designed to deliver more stable computing performance for high-frequency trading or latency-sensitive operations.
- Global Distribution: With the integration of Akamai, deployment is now available in over 25 core regions worldwide, including São Paulo and Jakarta. Pricing in certain emerging regions may be 10%-20% higher than in the United States.
3. Core Capabilities and Architectural Features of Akamai Connected Cloud
Edge Computing and CDN Synergy Capabilities
At the architectural level, leveraging Akamai's global network of over 200 edge nodes enables seamless integration between server resources and CDN, reducing end-user access latency and enhancing content delivery efficiency.
High-Performance Computing Resource Delivery Capability
At the compute layer, it employs high-performance Intel/AMD CPUs paired with NVMe SSD storage, delivering high IOPS and low latency performance to support high-load business scenarios.
Developer-friendly automation ecosystem
At the management layer, it provides a comprehensive REST API, CLI tools, Terraform Provider, and Cloud Manager console, supporting Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and adapting to automated deployment workflows.
Global Distributed Network Architecture
At the network layer, data centers span key global regions, supporting private network (VLAN) isolation, load balancing, and global traffic routing optimization to ensure network stability.
Security Protection and Compliance Capabilities
At the security layer, it incorporates built-in DDoS protection, firewalls, SSH key authentication, and other features. It complies with GDPR, ISO 27001, and other regulatory standards to ensure server and data security.
4. Akamai Connected Cloud Data Center Distribution / Billing Currency
- Coverage Areas: North America (New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, etc., USA; Toronto, Canada) Europe (London, UK; Frankfurt, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands, etc.) Asia-Pacific (Singapore; Tokyo, Japan; Hong Kong, China; Sydney, Australia, etc.) South America (São Paulo, Brazil) Africa (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Distribution Characteristics: Inheriting the global data center layout of the original Linode and leveraging the advantages of the Akamai edge network, nodes cover core cities across six continents, balancing both central computing and edge deployment requirements.
Supported billing currencies: US Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), British Pound (GBP), Australian Dollar (AUD), Singapore Dollar (SGD), Canadian Dollar (CAD), Japanese Yen (JPY), and over 12 other major currencies.
5. How to Deploy Servers Using Akamai Connected Cloud
- Visit the Akamai Connected Cloud website (https://www.akamai.com/), click “Sign Up” to register an account, complete email verification, submit identity information, and link a payment method to receive $100 in credits.
- Log in to the Cloud Manager console, click “Create,” and select the server type (Linode Instance/Bare Metal/Kubernetes, etc.).
- Select target data center, operating system (Ubuntu, CentOS, Windows Server, etc.), and package configuration (CPU/memory/storage/bandwidth);
- Configure additional features (such as backup, firewall, SSH keys, private network), set the server hostname, and click “Create Linode” to submit the deployment order;
- After deployment completes (approximately 1-2 minutes), obtain the server's public IP address and login credentials from the console. Log in via SSH (Linux) or Remote Desktop (Windows).
- Configure the basic runtime environment and applications. For automated management, refer to the official documentation.https://www.linode.com/docs/Learn how to use the API or CLI.
6. Common Application Scenarios for Akamai Connected Cloud
- Global distributed hosting for web applications, blogs, and API backends
- Edge computing scenarios (such as IoT data processing and real-time content delivery)
- Low-Latency Game Server Deployment for Game Developers
- Rapid MVP Launch and Development/Test Environment Setup for Startups
- Lightweight Business Systems and Data Storage Servers for Small and Medium Enterprises
- High-Memory-Requirement Data Analysis and Application Deployment
7. Akamai Connected Cloud Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Akamai Connected Cloud and the original Linode?
Building upon the core products and technologies of the original Linode, we have added new features such as Akamai edge computing and CDN integration. Data center and network performance have been further optimized, while maintaining the same billing system.
Is it suitable for individual developers?
Perfectly suited, with a low price barrier, a streamlined console interface, comprehensive official documentation, and quick onboarding for beginners. Free credits support testing various server services.
What happens if server traffic exceeds the plan limit?
Excess usage is billed by traffic (approximately $0.01/GB). The console displays real-time traffic usage and supports setting traffic alerts to prevent overage charges.
Does it support automatic backup and data recovery?
Supported. Backup functionality requires an additional fee (approximately 20% of the package price for 1TB/3TB). Automatic daily/weekly backups can be configured, with support for cross-data center data recovery.
How to achieve server elastic scaling?
Supports vertical scaling (upgrading CPU/memory/storage) and horizontal scaling (adding instances), with zero downtime during the scaling process and uninterrupted service operation.
What technical support services are provided?
Free users receive 24/7 ticket support; paid users can upgrade to Priority Support or Enterprise Support for faster response times and dedicated technical advisors.
Editor's Note
Akamai Connected Cloud features a dual-core architecture combining edge computing with traditional cloud servers. It inherits the cost-effectiveness and developer-friendly advantages of the original Linode while integrating Akamai's global edge network resources. This makes it ideal for users requiring low-latency deployment and coordinated content distribution. It offers transparent pricing and flexible billing, though its high-end enterprise compliance solutions are relatively limited. When selecting, consider your business scale and requirements comprehensively.
