--- title: "Use an Elemental with Akamai (Paired)" url: "https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/use-an-elemental-with-akamai-paired" category: "Elemental" updated: 2026-09-11 summary: "Akamai HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is a delivery method that allows your livestream to be distributed efficiently over the internet using Akamai’s global content delivery network (CDN). Note: Before proceeding with this article, please verify that you have paired your Elemental with the Sardius…" --- # Use an Elemental with Akamai (Paired) Akamai HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is a delivery method that allows your livestream to be distributed efficiently over the internet using Akamai’s global content delivery network (CDN). > **Note:** _**Note:**_ Before proceeding with this article, please verify that you have paired your Elemental with the Sardius Control Panel. For instructions on how to do that, see this article: [**Pair an Elemental**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/pair-an-elemental). These are the following steps to use a Paired Elemental with Akamai: - [**Pair the Elemental**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/pair-an-elemental) with the Sardius Control Panel - Add your [**Akamai Destination as an HLS Output**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/add-an-hls-output). - Add Additional Outputs such as [**YouTube**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/add-a-youtube-output), [**Facebook**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/add-a-facebook-output), or other [**RTMP/SRT**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/add-an-output) destinations. - Create a [**Template**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/creating-and-customizing-templates), if needed. - Setup your **[Default Stream Settings](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/setup-and-change-default-stream-settings)** - [**Schedule an Event**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/adding-a-calendar-event) on your Channel This article will guide you through setting up your channel's Default Stream Settings using the Elemental. > **Note:** _**Note:**_ While you will be using Akamai to deliver your live stream, you will be establishing the automation through our Sardius Stream product. By using this process, be aware that the following items will be unavailable: > > - No ability to autoarchive > - No ability to autopublish > - No ability to autoapprove > - No ability to add additional outputs to an event that is live > - No ability to customize the player > - Limited management of outputs ### **Create the Akamai Output** Before you can set up your channel, you will first need to make sure you have added your Akamai Output as an HLS Output. To learn more about how to do this, please review [**Using an HLS Output with Sardius Stream**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/using-outputs-with-sardius-hls-entrypoint). #### **1. Enable Streaming for Your Channel** Before creating defaults, make sure streaming is enabled on your Sardius Channel: 1. Open the **Control Panel** and navigate to **Channels**. 2. Select the channel you want to configure. 3. In the sidebar, click **Stream**. 4. Click **Enable streaming**. Once streaming is enabled, you'll be prompted to start defining your default stream settings ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/7dfbeada83346704.png) **Click on "Set defaults"** to set up your EMLA Encoder with this channel. ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/564de792cce0b124.png) Your Sardius Channel will be updated in the background and prepared for streaming. This process takes only a couple of seconds, so do not leave or refresh the page. Once it is ready, you will be prompted to define your default settings. A modal will appear in the center of the screen. **Step 1** of this setup will prompt you to select the source of the live stream. Select "Sardius Stream" and you will be taken to the next step. ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/4f3835f767f95381.png) #### **2. Configure Your Default Stream Settings** Select "**My Devices**" and click **Next** to be taken to the next step. ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/dd99ba9554f0a032.png) Step 2 of this setup will prompt you to add a device which you will be using to send your live stream from. Select your Elemental from the list below.  ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/71a137e2dc3a780e.png) Once selected, you will be taken to your stream stepper overview. Here you can review your added default settings, add outputs, and you will have an opportunity to make changes.  ### **Choosing Akamai** 1. **Disable Sardius Stream and Sardius Entrypoint** in the stream stepper 2. Click the **Add Outputs** button and choose your pre-configured Akamai output along with all other desired outputs ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/bde9fc287f9b1494.png) ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/7ce1f3ccba99de48.png) > **Note:** NOTE: You will also need to **replace the Channel Stream default** with your Akamai HLS output.To make this change, click **Edit on the Akamai output** ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/566c27a8efb460d5.png) ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/dcd7ae13359b04e8.png) The final step is to review your settings to make sure everything looks good. Make sure that your Elemental is showing in the Source and that all of the Outputs you selected are correctly appearing; including your Akamai HLS Output. If everything looks correct, click "**Save**" in the top right corner ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/3bf90ce6ddc66c3b.png) That's it! You have successfully set up your EMLA Encoder to stream to your Sardius Channel using Akamai! You can now [**schedule an event**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/adding-a-calendar-event) on your calendar and live stream! > **Note:** **Note: We now customize our encoder settings using Templates**. Here you can set your bitrate, frame rate, and more! [**Click here for more information on templates**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/streaming#templates) > > [**Click here to review our recommended encoder settings**](https://support.sardius.media/knowledge-base/recommended-encoder-settings) When checking your device's settings, it is recommended that you take a close look at the following: - **Frame rate:** this should match your camera/switcher settings. - **Bitrate:** we recommend 4 Mbps - 6 Mbps - **Segment Duration:** we recommend 6s - 10s. Here is an example of these settings in templates. **Segment Duration:** we recommend 4s - 6s. ![](https://support.sardius.media/kb-media/22055c604a943744.png) **See the link above for more information on setting up templates.**    > **Note:** _**Note:**_ If you will be streaming to social sites such as Facebook or YouTube, please check their recommended settings. If your Elemental's bitrate and segment duration are larger than their recommendations, you could experience issues when streaming to Facebook and YouTube.