API Gateway & Edge Routing
Learn about API Gateways and their role in managing external traffic, routing, authentication, and rate limiting for microservices.
What's an API Gateway?
In a microservices architecture, you might have many services. Clients (like your mobile app or web browser) need a single, clear way to interact with them.
An API Gateway acts as the front door for all external requests, routing them to the correct backend microservice.
- It's a single entry point.
- Simplifies client communication.
- Decouples clients from service details.
The Role of Edge Routing
Edge routing refers to the process of directing incoming external network traffic to the appropriate internal destination.
The API Gateway typically embodies this edge routing function. It's the first component external requests hit, deciding where they should go next within your distributed system.
This is different from internal service-to-service communication, which might use a service mesh.