What is the primary distinction between Edge policies and API policies?

The primary distinction between Edge policies and API policies lies in their scope and application. Edge policies are designed to be applied across multiple API instances, making them suitable for managing and enforcing policies at a broader level within the API gateway. This capability allows for centralized management of common capabilities such as security, access control, and traffic management across various APIs, which enhances consistency and operational efficiency.

In contrast, API policies are typically more focused on specific individual APIs and are used to enforce rules, transforms, and other functionalities at a granular level related to that particular API. Thus, their application tends to be more localized rather than network-wide.

This clear distinction helps organizations in utilizing Edge policies for overarching strategies affecting multiple APIs while reserving API policies for tailored actions specific to individual API needs. This differentiation is crucial for achieving effective API management and ensuring both broad and specific control mechanisms are in place.