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API Shield
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Glossary

Review the definitions for terms used across Cloudflare’s API Shield documentation.

TermDefinition
API callAlso known as an API request. An API call is a message sent to a server asking an API to provide a service or information.
API endpointThe API endpoint is the location where API calls or requests are fulfilled. API Shield defines endpoints as a host, method, and path tuple.
API schemaThe API schema defines which API requests are valid based on several request properties like target endpoint, path or query variable format, and HTTP method.
JSON web token (JWT)A common authentication and authorization method used in web applications and APIs.
mTLS (mutual TLS)MTLS is a common security practice that uses TLS certificates to ensure that traffic between a client and server is secure and trusted in both directions.
session identifierA session identifier is a unique number that a website assigns to identify a specific user for the duration of their visit.
source endpointThe source endpoint is the endpoint managed by API Shield in Endpoint Management by its routing feature.
target endpointThe target endpoint is the ultimate destination that a request is sent to by API Shield’s routing feature.