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Showing posts with the label APIGateway

Understanding API Rate Limiting & Throttling for Scalable Apps

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In today’s connected world, APIs are the backbone of modern applications. But with growing user bases and interconnected services, the risk of server overload, abuse, or system crashes becomes real. That’s where rate limiting and throttling step in — to ensure performance , security , and fair usage . What Is API Rate Limiting? API rate limiting controls how many requests a client can make to an API within a specific time frame . It helps prevent abuse (like DDoS attacks), ensures fair access among users, and safeguards infrastructure from being overwhelmed. Example: A public API may allow 1000 requests per hour per user. After that, users receive a 429 Too Many Requests error until the limit resets. What Is API Throttling? Throttling is a dynamic form of rate limiting. Instead of outright rejecting requests, it slows down or queues them when usage exceeds safe thresholds. It ensures graceful degradation rather than abrupt denial. Key Differences Minimize image Edit image Delete ...

Understanding API Gateway: Benefits & Best Practices

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As modern applications continue to evolve, especially with the rise of microservices, API Gateways have become an essential component in managing, securing, and scaling APIs. But what exactly is an API Gateway, and why is it so important? What is an API Gateway? An API Gateway is a server that acts as an intermediary between clients and backend services. Instead of interacting directly with various microservices, clients send requests to the API Gateway, which then routes those requests to the appropriate service, collects the responses, and sends them back to the client. In simpler terms, it’s the single entry point for all client requests in a distributed system. Key Benefits of Using an API Gateway 1. Centralized Routing The API Gateway handles all incoming API requests and knows exactly which service to forward them to, reducing the complexity for the client. 2. Improved Security Security concerns like authentication, authorization, rate limiting, and IP whitelisting can be enfor...