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Software Architecture

API Gateway

/eɪ piː aɪ ˈɡeɪtweɪ/

Definition

A server acting as entry point for clients, routing requests to appropriate microservices, handling auth and rate limiting.

Example in context

"All client requests hit the API Gateway — it authenticates the token, then routes to auth, prods, or orders service."

Related terms

  • Load balancer — A component distributing incoming traffic across multiple servers so no single server becomes overwhelmed.
  • Reverse proxy — A server sitting in front of backend servers, forwarding client requests and returning responses on their behalf.
  • Microservices — An architectural style where an application is composed of small, independently deployable services communicating over APIs.

Practice this term

Master API Gateway in context by working through exercises in the Software Architecture module. You'll see the term used in real engineering scenarios with multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and matching drills.

Practice in exercises → Browse all words