API Gateway

Summary

In a system-design context: the single entry point in a microservices architecture that routes requests to the right internal service, and centralizes auth, rate limiting, and logging.

How to Learn This

1Diagram how a client request flows through an API gateway to the correct microservice.
2Learn why an API gateway avoids exposing internal service topology directly to clients.
3Compare using a dedicated gateway product vs building simple routing logic yourself.

Microservices vs Monolith

Service Discovery

More topics in System Design

Scalability Basics Vertical vs Horizontal Scaling Load Balancing Database Replication Database Sharding CAP Theorem Microservices vs Monolith Service Discovery Circuit Breaker Pattern Distributed Caching Consistent Hashing Rate Limiting Algorithms Designing a URL Shortener Designing a Rate Limiter

Stuck on this topic? Ask an Insider

Get 1:1 guidance from people who've walked this exact path — free on the InsideEdge app.

Download