Why Microservices Need an API Gateway? Use Case and Benefits
Blog post from Kong
In a microservices architecture, the decentralized nature of numerous small, independent services necessitates an API gateway to address the resulting complexities and challenges. An API gateway acts as a reverse proxy, providing a single entry point for client applications and managing tasks such as routing requests, aggregating data, and enforcing security measures. This centralization simplifies the development of individual microservices by handling cross-cutting concerns like security, traffic control, and failure management, thereby allowing developers to focus on core business logic. Additionally, API gateways standardize access across microservices, offering protocol translations and a unified domain name to streamline communication and facilitate scalability. The gateway also enhances operational governance by enforcing consistent security, compliance, and performance standards across all services, making it a crucial component for maximizing the potential of microservices architecture. Tools like Kong Gateway exemplify these benefits by providing scalable, secure, and flexible solutions that integrate seamlessly with modern cloud-native infrastructures.