Why it matters

API gateway centralizes cross-cutting. Understanding shapes API architectures.

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The architecture

Client hits gateway.

Gateway: auth, rate limit, route to service, transform, cache.

API gatewayClientsingle endpointGatewayauth + route + etcBackend servicesfocused on business logicCloud offerings: API Gateway (AWS), Cloud Endpoints (GCP), Azure API Management
Gateway responsibilities.
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How it works end to end

Options: AWS API Gateway, GCP Cloud Endpoints, Azure APIM, Kong, Envoy.

Features: OAuth, JWT validation, rate limiting, request transformation, caching, monetization.

Cost: per-request pricing typical.