APIgatewaysin

APIgatewaysin describes the use of API gateways as a centralized entry point for requests to backend services. In this context, an API gateway is a reverse proxy that handles north-south traffic between clients and a collection of microservices or APIs. It is designed to simplify client interactions, enforce security, and provide governance for API usage.

Core functions of an API gateway include routing and load balancing, protocol translation, authentication and authorization, rate limiting and quotas, request and response transformation, caching, and centralized logging and monitoring. By consolidating these tasks, gateways reduce client complexity and shield backend services from direct exposure.

Architecturally, API gateways sit at the edge of an application or within a private network. They can be deployed as standalone software, cloud services, or as part of a broader API management platform. In Kubernetes environments, gateways may be implemented as ingress controllers or as dedicated API gateway products. They support common protocols such as HTTP and REST, and increasingly gRPC and WebSocket.

Distinctions exist between API gateways, service meshes, and traditional reverse proxies. API gateways focus on north-south traffic and external governance, while service meshes manage east-west communication between internal services. In Kubernetes, an ingress controller provides basic gateway functionality, while full-featured API gateways offer additional security, analytics, and developer portal capabilities.

Security and governance are central to APIgatewaysin, with support for OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, JWTs, mutual TLS, and policy-based access control. Popular examples of gateways and platforms include AWS API Gateway, Kong, Nginx, Apigee, and Azure API Management.