link: Microservice Architecture, Cloud Architecture

API Gateway

Diagram

Overview

In a Microservices architecture, an API Gateway serves as a central entry point for clients to access various Microservices. It acts as a Facade, providing a unified interface for clients to interact with the system. The API Gateway handles client requests, routing them to the appropriate Microservices, and may also perform additional functionalities such as Authentication, Authorization, Rate Limiting, and request/response transformation.

Abstract

An API Gateway acts as a central entry point for clients to access Microservices, providing a unified interface and performing additional functionalities such as authentication and routing.

Content

Key Concepts

  • Routing: The API Gateway routes incoming requests from clients to the appropriate Microservices based on predefined rules or configurations.
  • Authentication and Authorization: It authenticates clients and authorizes their access to specific Microservices or resources, ensuring security and access control.
  • Rate Limiting: The API Gateway may enforce rate limits on incoming requests to prevent abuse or overload of Microservices.
  • Request/Response Transformation: It can transform requests or responses to/from Microservices to adapt them to client requirements or to maintain compatibility between Microservices versions.

Implementation Overview

Implementing an API Gateway involves integrating it into the Microservices architecture and configuring it to handle client requests effectively. It requires defining routing rules, configuring security policies for authentication and authorization, setting up rate limiting mechanisms, and implementing request/response transformation logic. There are ready API Gateway solution that have implemented features.

API Gateway Solutions