# Understand the Beam APIs

- [API overview](/beam/api-guides/understanding/overview): cloud and device-local connections.
- [How channels work](/beam/api-guides/how-to/channels/how-channels-work): the Channels API resource model.
- [Manage devices](/beam/api-guides/how-to/fleets/device-management): device configuration and reported status.
- [Set up networks and sites](/beam/api-guides/how-to/infrastructure/networks-and-sites): connect device locations and networks.