What is API Gateway?
An API gateway is a machine or service that sits on the edge of a system or network of microservices and serves as the entry point into the system. It is essentially a single point of entry for all client requests and serves several purposes:
Key characteristics of API Gateway architecture include:
- Routing and Load Balancing: API gateways perform this function in complex setups by routing API connections to the desired microservice or back-end services based on predefined rules. They also have the capability of delivering incoming requests across several service instances to achieve load balancing, therefore, attaining a high level of reliability and scalability.
- Protocol Translation: In addition to API Gateways, there is a significant demand for the translation of different protocols and data formats. As an illustration, in case they would need to transmit HTTP request messages into messages formatted for a backend service with a disparate protocol like gRPC.
- Request Transformation: API Gateways provide mechanisms to send outbound requests and inbound responses so they can be transformed according to the functionality specifications of the back-end services. These are duties like changing of request parameter, the transforming of request body/response body, adding or deleting headers, and so on.
- Caching: An Application Programming Interface (API) Gateway Caching approach can make request and response wait times faster and latency smaller. Stored data can be retrieved and served on the client side if the sa
API Gateway Patterns in Microservices
In the Microservices Architecture, the API Gateway patterns stand out as a crucial architectural tool. They act as a central hub, managing and optimizing communication between clients and multiple microservices. These patterns simplify complexity, enhance security, and improve performance, making them indispensable for building scalable and resilient systems. In this article, we’ll explore the API Gateway pattern’s role and benefits within a microservices architecture, offering insights into its practical applications and advantages.
Important Topics for API Gateway Pattern in Microservices
- What is Microservices Architecture?
- What is API Gateway?
- Benefits of using API Gateway in Microservices
- API Gateway Patterns with examples and uses in Microservices
- Gateway Aggregation
- Gateway Offloading
- Gateway Routing
- Gateway Transformation
- Gateway Security
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