API gateway

A single entry point that handles authentication, quotas, routing and request transformation for many backend services. It simplifies clients and services, but becomes critical infrastructure that must itself scale.

Where it shows up in real systems

  • API gateway

    Centralises cross-cutting concerns so services stay simple. Validating JWTs locally costs almost nothing, while calling an auth service on every request adds latency and a dependency.

    In production: Amazon API Gateway, Kong, Apigee, Azure API Management, Tyk

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