fixedendpoint

In software engineering, fixedendpoint is a term used to describe a stable, pre-defined address through which a service is accessed. The endpoint is designed to remain constant for clients, even as the underlying application instances, deployments, or infrastructure scale change. Typically, a fixed endpoint is provided by an API gateway or load balancer that presents a constant external URL.

Behind the fixed endpoint, backend services can vary. Requests are routed from the fixed address to one or more backend nodes, using health checks and load balancing. This separation allows operators to upgrade, scale, or failover backend components without forcing clients to update their configuration.

Benefits of fixed endpoints include simplified client configuration, consistent credentials and access controls, predictable DNS or URL whitelisting, and easier monitoring and rate limiting at the edge. Fixed endpoints also support caching strategies and smoother integration with analytics pipelines since all traffic is funneled through a common surface.

Trade-offs involve potential single points of failure unless the architecture is designed for high availability. They require reliable DNS or gateway uptime and clear versioning to prevent breaking changes. Operational complexity can increase due to the need to coordinate backend migrations with the fixed surface, and keeping the external endpoint responsive may mandate robust retry and failover strategies.

Common patterns include using a fixed public endpoint with versioned API paths or header-based routing, employing an API gateway or service mesh to manage routing, and using DNS-based routing to switch upstreams without impacting clients. See also endpoint, API endpoint, and service discovery.