Understanding API Gateway: Benefits & Best Practices
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...